Equity MEDIA

TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE, ORGANIZED BY A COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, ON THE NEED FOR THE SENATE TO END THE UNNECESSARY DELAYS AND IMMEDIATELY CONFIRM ENGR ABDULLAHI GARBA RAMAT AS CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION (NERC), AT IMO HOUSE ABUJA, ON THE 10TH OF NOVEMBER, 2025.

Protocol,

Ladies and gentlemen of the press,

Silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity. It is on this note that we have chosen to take a stand and speak courageously to power in order to put an end to the injustice that has trailed the unnecessary, inexplicable and inexcusable delay in confirming the nomination of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as the Chairman of NERC by the Nigerian Senate.

Let this be on record that on the 22nd of October, 2025, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe (Abia South), Chairman , Senate Committee on Power, after a thorough vetting exercise, presented the trio of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, Mr. Abubakar Yusuf and Fouad Olayinka Animashaun as Chairman, Commissioner (Consumer Affairs) and Commissioner (Finance and Administration) respectively, of NERC.

However, instead of performing their statutory responsibility of screening and confirming appointments and nominations from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate decided to constitute a public obstacle to the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in the Power sector. Apart from willfully sabotaging the power reforms as enshrined in the Renewed Hope Agenda, the action of the Senate under Senator Godswill Akpabio speaks eloquently about the integrity of our democratic institutions and their motives in the grand national scheme.

Our clandestine findings in this suspicious and questionable debacle indicates that some parliamentarians seeking regional influence, appear increasingly determined to act as obstacles to the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeking instead to impose their personal interests on critical national appointments. Therefore, rather than supporting the administration in its efforts to build strong institutions and deliver progress, they resort to pressure tactics, intimidation, and the blackmail of appointees and nominees of Mr. President. This conduct undermines governance, erodes public trust, and sabotages our national development.

The delay in the confirmation of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, a seasoned and experienced professional, is reportedly due to the actions of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin. Unfortunately, these two men are APC top leaders, who in public claim to support the President, but in private work against his decisions because of their personal political schemes. Sadly enough, no concrete reason(s) have been advanced to justify the prolonged delay in confirming this appointee.

It is deeply troubling that, according to credible accounts, this delay is not because Engr Ramat does not merit the job, nor is it in the national interest, but it is rather rooted in Senator Barau’s alleged political machinations and selfish interests. This is political terrorism and must not be condoned by Nigerians. Let us be clear, no individual, however politically positioned, should hold the nation hostage or subvert meritocracy for their personal ambition. The future of our power sector is far too important for petty political gimmicks. The power needs of Nigerians are too urgent (in fact, an emergency), and Mr. President’s reform momentum is also too critical to allow this form of internal sabotage to continue unchecked.

Engr. Abdullahi
Ramat, an experienced electrical energy reform and policy expert with over 10 years of working experience across diverse areas, deserves to be given an opportunity to contribute his quota to the reform efforts of Mr. President. As a multi-disciplinary professional with expertise spanning electrical engineering, electronics, telecommunications, and strategic management with core and subject-specific degrees in addition to a Ph.D. in Strategic Management, is undoubtedly most qualified and suited for the chairmanship of NERC. This commission will be a perfect niche for this talented Nigerian to demonstrate his immense proven capacity.

As a fellow of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); a Harvard University alumni who served as the pioneer Managing Director of Kano State Metropolitan Agency (KASMA) as well as the current Director of AG Ramat Global Electrical/Electronic Ltd, amongst many other roles, he is ably qualified to drive the necessary reforms in the power sector which has been a national embarrassment due to failure of successive adminstrations to tackle the Power sector challenges headlong.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, our position is simple and straightforward. The Senate President should, as a matter of utmost national importance, address Nigerians and state categorically why an eminently qualified Nigerian is being treated this way despite the express appointment and nomination by Mr. President. What exactly is the problem, if not crude local politics? In fact, of all sectors, the power sector should be spared the unnecessary politics of selfish interests due to its strategic importance as driver of industrialization and economic growth.

Enough is enough. If Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat's confirmation is delayed for another 48 hours, we shall mobilize all unemployed Nigerian youths whose future is being compromised by the personal political ambitions of a few bad eggs, for a massive protest at the National Assembly and all offices of NERC until the will of Mr. President and indeed Nigerians are achieved, and the critical power sector is salvaged.

This is no empty threat at all. Nigerians are tired of playing politics with everything. So, since the leadership of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is on this base and shameless part, we will help to embarrass and expose their chicanery.

Thank you all for listening.

Signed:

Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince,

Convener,
Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), on behalf of the Coalition