Tinubu’s Electricity Pledge: APC Defends Record, Cites 1.5m Meter Installations, N4trn Debt Plan

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has defended President Bola Tinubu’s electricity campaign promise, insisting that his administration is making steady progress through power-sector reforms, metering expansion, debt settlement and investments in transmission infrastructure.

The council said although Nigeria’s electricity crisis remains unresolved, Tinubu has maintained his commitment to improving power supply and ending estimated billing, adding that his performance should be assessed against the reforms and interventions introduced since he assumed office in 2023.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council recalled Tinubu’s promise during a meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos ahead of the 2023 general elections.

At the meeting, Tinubu had pledged that Nigerians would enjoy stable electricity without paying estimated bills, promising to provide adequate explanations if he failed to fulfil his commitment before seeking a second term.

The APC council argued that some public commentaries had reproduced the President’s pledge without including the concluding qualification, which it said should form part of a fair assessment of his statement.

Highlighting the administration’s achievements, the council said Tinubu signed the Electricity Act, 2023, on June 9, shortly after assuming office, opening up the electricity market to greater participation by state governments.

It acknowledged the challenge of balancing cost-reflective tariffs with affordable electricity for consumers, particularly low-income households, but maintained that the government would continue to explore measures to protect vulnerable Nigerians while improving the commercial viability of the sector.

The council also highlighted the Rural Electrification Agency’s efforts to connect universities, hospitals and rural communities to solar power as part of broader measures to expand electricity access.

While acknowledging that fixing Nigeria’s electricity market remained an ongoing process, the APC insisted that Tinubu had not abandoned his campaign commitment.

It said the President would present his power-sector scorecard to Nigerians as he seeks a second term, explaining both the achievements recorded and the challenges yet to be addressed.