The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have jointly called for the resignation of Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, over what they describe as incompetence and failure to address the country’s protracted electricity crisis.
In a statement issued on Sunday by James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary of CNCSOs, the coalition condemned Minister Adelabu’s tenure, describing him as “a round peg in a square hole.” The groups argued that the Minister lacks the capacity to effectively manage the power sector, pointing to persistent electricity shortages that have plagued the nation for decades.
According to the coalition, over 40% of Nigerians remain without access to electricity, while those connected to the national grid endure inconsistent power supply ranging between 2,000MW and 4,000MW—figures that have remained stagnant since the 1980s.
The statement also highlighted the economic fallout from the power crisis, citing numerous business closures, job losses, and hindered economic growth. The coalition further criticized the Minister for not utilizing the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023, which permits decentralized electricity provision and public-private partnerships to enhance the sector.
“His inability to attract local and international investment has exacerbated Nigeria’s electricity challenges and undermined economic recovery,” the statement said.
The call for Minister Adelabu’s resignation follows a recent report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which documented three total grid collapses and two partial collapses in the last quarter of 2024. Despite these setbacks, Nigerians paid a record N509.84 billion to electricity distribution companies during the same period, up from N466.69 billion in the previous quarter. The nation experienced a total of 12 grid collapses in 2024, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
The CNPP and CNCSOs also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reassign Minister Adelabu to a different ministry within seven days, questioning his qualifications for the power sector. They argued that his background in finance, hospitality, entertainment, agriculture, and real estate does not align with the technical demands of energy management.
“His appointment appears to be a case of political patronage rather than merit, and his performance has validated our concerns,” the statement read.
The coalition also expressed dissatisfaction with the broader economic policies of the Tinubu administration, arguing that they have contributed to increased hardship and public discontent. While acknowledging the President’s commitment to national development, the groups warned that appointing unqualified individuals to critical positions threatens progress and erodes public trust.
“The power sector is too vital to Nigeria’s progress to be left in the hands of individuals without the necessary expertise and vision. Minister Adelabu must resign or be reassigned immediately to prevent further damage to Nigeria’s economy and the well-being of its citizens,” the statement concluded.
The coalition vowed to continue monitoring government ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure they serve the best interests of the Nigerian people.
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