ADC-PCC Accuses Tinubu of Failing 2023 Electricity Promise, Challenges APC’s Defence

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to fulfil his 2023 campaign promise on electricity, dismissing attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to explain or reinterpret the commitment.

The council was reacting to comments by Dele Alake, spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, who reportedly sought to clarify the President’s earlier pledge.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC insisted that Tinubu made a clear commitment ahead of the 2023 presidential election, declaring that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to deliver electricity during his first term.

According to the council, the President’s words were unambiguous: “Don’t vote for me for second term if I fail to deliver electricity.”

It argued that no amount of selective quotations, explanations or grammatical interpretations could erase the promise from the minds of Nigerians.

The ADC-PCC further accused the Tinubu administration of worsening the financial burden on electricity consumers, noting that rather than eliminating estimated billing, many households continue to face high electricity bills despite unreliable supply.

It also expressed concern over the impact of rising electricity costs on businesses, particularly hospitality establishments, which it said had resorted to rationing power supply to guests during daytime hours to reduce operating expenses.

The opposition council also criticised the electricity tariff classification system, which divides consumers into Bands A, B, C and other categories, arguing that Nigerians are paying more without receiving corresponding improvements in electricity supply.

It noted that persistent power outages, repeated national grid collapses and inadequate electricity generation continue to affect households, manufacturers and small businesses across the country.

The council also questioned the implementation of the Presidential Metering Initiative, alleging that the programme had failed to meet expectations as electricity distribution companies continued to issue estimated bills to consumers.

Addressing the APC’s reliance on the Electricity Act and bond programmes to defend the administration’s performance, the ADC-PCC maintained that legislative frameworks and financial instruments could not replace the need for reliable electricity.

“An Act is not electricity. A bond prospectus does not power homes and factories. Nigerians cannot eat statutes. What Nigerians need is electricity that works, not another round of explanations and publicity,” the statement said.

The council further argued that increased electricity tariffs, coupled with inconsistent power supply, had placed additional pressure on Nigerians already struggling with rising operating costs and economic difficulties.

Reiterating its position, the ADC-PCC said President Tinubu’s condition for seeking a second term was straightforward: deliver on his electricity promise or refrain from asking Nigerians for another mandate.

It challenged the APC to address concerns over the country’s electricity situation rather than attempt to dilute a commitment made by its presidential candidate during the 2023 election campaign.

The council added that the January 16, 2027 election would give Nigerians an opportunity to assess the administration’s performance against its campaign promises and decide whether to renew its mandate.

The statement was signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, Director of Media and Publicity, ADC Presidential Campaign Council.