Politics
Reps Tackle Ministry Over Prolonged Electricity Outage
The House of Representatives Committee on Power yesterday in Abuja tackled the Ministry of Power over prolonged power outage in the country.
Rep. Magaji Aliyu, the Chairman, House Committee on Power, expressed displeasure with the ministry when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Nebeolisa Anako, appeared before it during an interactive session.
He said that Nigerians were currently experiencing one of the worst moments of electricity supply across the country.
According to him, this development has caused variety of problems affecting peoples’ welfare which makes social living condition very uncomfortable.
He added that it has caused collapse of small businesses whose operations depend on stable electricity supply.
He stated that the situation had aggravated increased process in commodities and services for those who required electricity supply.
He said that the overheated socio-economic environment due to very poor electricity supply had attracted huge public outcry for immediate solutions.
He urged the ministry to also explain the technical, operational and administrative measures taken by the ministry to address the challenges and its devastating consequences on Nigerians.
“In this country, there is no fuel, no light and no gas. We were told we have 30,000 megawatts, but that only transmission is our problem. My heart bleed for this country, we may never have it right may be during our time,” he lamented.
He said that the permanent secretary only presented a thesis rather than proffering solution to the mirage of electricity problem bedeviling the country.
Rep. Ajibola Muraina (PDP-Oyo) said the problem of power outage was not just starting now, adding that every year there is usually shortage of water, without measure to correct the anomaly.
He added that the country’s inability to power light via gas was uncalled for, adding that the ministry is always adopting a fire brigade approach, which will not work.
“I think we are not prepared to give Nigerians power. In my constituency, no light; they only bring it when they want to bring bill,” he said.
Rep. Sada Soli (APC-Katsina) said: “I don’t think the ministry of power is in charge because they don’t see it as their responsibility to deliver power to Nigerians.
Rep. Mariam Onoha (APC-Imo) in her contribution stated that: “I want to assume that there are some level of conspiracy of bringing government down as we approach the electioneering year.”
He queried why critical infrastructure would be about to run down when the country was approaching the election year.
The permanent secretary on his part, said that the ministry had a lot of issues in the Nigeria electricity supply crisis, adding that it s working to resolve the issue.
He said that in spite of improvements in power generation to a peak of 5,800MW last year, and average available generation of 5,000MW, recent events had seen a temporary crash in generation by about 1,600MW.
He said that the loss was now gradually being recovered as the situation is stabilised to better served the growing power demand in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Ministry of Power is responsible for the coordination of the power sector in Nigeria to ensure synergy among stakeholders to provide efficient power supply. (NAN)
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.