National grid collapse: HURIWA criticizes Tinubu and demands the immediate dismissal of the power minister
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has expressed dissatisfaction and outrage over the repeated collapse of Nigeria’s national electricity grid under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reacting to the latest collapse on October 14 and 15, 2024, HURIWA called for the immediate removal of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
According to HURIWA, the minister has shown high level of “gross incompetence” and is unfit for the role.
The grid collapse, the seventh and eight since 2024, left millions of Nigerians in darkness, further crippling an already fragile economy.
Newsmen reports that the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the collapse, highlighting the disruption of power supply across several states.
Despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Power and other government agencies, HURIWA contended that these collapses have become the norm under the current administration, exacerbating the nation’s economic and social woes.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Tuesday stated that the Ministry of Power has been a revolving door for politicians who consistently fail to deliver results, and Adelabu’s tenure is no different.
“Nigeria has had the misfortune of some of the worst species of politicians posted to the Ministry of Power in the last two decades,” he said.
“Most of them reportedly leave office with one anti-graft case or another, and they consistently fail to provide Nigerians with the electricity needed for industrial and economic growth.”
Newsmen reports that since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has been plagued with recurring power grid failures, with each collapse bringing the nation to its knees.
HURIWA’s statement detailed how the grid has become a fragile pack of cards, crumbling at the slightest challenge. The advocacy group criticized the President for appointing a politician with no expertise in power management to such a strategic role, stating that electricity is the backbone of Nigeria’s economic advancement, small and medium-scale enterprises, and infrastructure development.
“We do not understand why President Tinubu considers it useful to have someone who brings nothing to the table as the Minister of Power,” Onwubiko stated.
“Electricity powers economic advancement. It drives small and medium-scale enterprises and is the engine of the nation in terms of infrastructure and capacity building.
“Appointing a round peg in a square hole for such a critical ministry is the greatest disservice this government has done to Nigeria.”
HURIWA pointed out that the government’s excuses for the grid collapses have consistently failed to align with the realities on the ground.
“For every failure, explanations of ‘system disturbance’ or infrastructure challenges are trotted out, but there has been no clear action plan to prevent further collapses.
“Historically, Nigeria’s power grid failures have been a recurring nightmare, with the grid collapsing multiple times each year.
“Under President Tinubu’s administration, the trend has worsened. In 2024 alone, the grid has collapsed seven times, worsening an already dire economic situation. Under the current government’s tenure, Nigerians have seen increased power outages, higher electricity tariffs, and little to no improvement in supply,” the organization noted.
