Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has promised to dismantle Nigeria’s five-band electricity tariff structure, describing the current system as unfair to consumers who continue to experience unreliable power supply.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, also accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to deliver on his campaign promise of providing Nigerians with steady electricity and ending estimated billing.
His position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, spokesperson for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku said his proposed electricity pricing framework would be fairer, transparent and affordable, adding that he would work with state governments and regulatory authorities to introduce the changes within the law.
He criticised the existing arrangement, under which electricity consumers are classified into Bands A, B, C, D and E, with different tariffs depending on their supply category.
According to him, some Band A customers pay about N209.50 per kilowatt-hour before value-added tax, despite continued complaints about inconsistent electricity supply.
The former vice-president argued that consumers should not be expected to pay higher tariffs without receiving reliable power in return.
He also questioned the Federal Government’s defence of its power sector policies, including the Electricity Act 2023, the presidential metering initiative and a bond programme designed to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas companies.
Atiku maintained that settling inherited debts would not automatically increase electricity generation or guarantee improved supply, insisting that investment in new power infrastructure was necessary.
He further raised concerns about the value-added tax charged on electricity and a proposed five per cent surcharge on certain fossil fuels, including petrol and diesel, under the Nigeria Tax Act.
Although the government has said the surcharge has not been activated and would require a ministerial order, Atiku said Nigerians deserved clarity on the potential additional cost of energy.
His comments followed a defence of Tinubu’s electricity campaign promise by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
Alake had argued that the president’s 2023 pledge was being taken out of context, saying Tinubu had committed to improving electricity supply and ending estimated billing. He also urged Nigerians to consider the administration’s interventions in the sector when assessing its performance.
Atiku, however, insisted that Nigerians should judge the government by the quality and reliability of electricity delivered to homes and businesses rather than policy announcements and financial commitments.
He said unreliable electricity continued to place additional pressure on households, traders and small businesses forced to spend money on alternative power sources.
The ADC presidential candidate added that access to affordable and dependable electricity would be a priority under his proposed administration.
