General News
CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA POLITICAL PARTIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION DEMAND MINISTER OF POWER’S RESIGNATION OVER INCOMPETENCE AND ELECTRICITY CRISIS
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have demanded the immediate resignation of Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, over alleged incompetence and failure to resolve the country’s prolonged electricity crisis. In a joint statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary of CNCSOs, the groups described Adebayo as “a typical example of a round peg in a square hole,” accusing him of lacking the capacity to address systemic failures in the power sector.
Ezema and Abacha, in the statement issued on Thursday, lamented that over 40% of Nigerians lack access to electricity, while the national grid struggles to deliver between 2,000MW and 4,000MW daily—a situation unchanged since the 1980s. They noted that the crisis has fueled economic stagnation, job losses, and the collapse of small businesses, stressing that Nigeria lags behind other African nations in electrification despite its resources.
The coalition criticized Adebayo for failing to utilize the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023, which promotes decentralized power supply and public-private partnerships. “His inability to market these opportunities to attract local and international investors has exacerbated the nation’s power crisis,” the statement read. Ezema and Abacha also cited a Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) report revealing three total grid collapses and two partial collapses in the fourth quarter of 2024, despite consumers paying N509.84 billion to distribution companies—a rise from N466.69 billion in the previous quarter.
The groups questioned Adebayo’s expertise, noting his background in finance, hospitality, and agriculture rather than the power sector. “His appointment appears to be political patronage rather than merit,” they stated, urging President Bola Tinubu to redeploy him within seven days. “His continued tenure is untenable,” Ezema and Abacha declared, warning that the minister’s failures undermine economic recovery and public trust.
They further criticized the Tinubu administration’s policies for worsening poverty and called for urgent action. “The power sector is too critical to be left in incompetent hands,” the duo emphasized, vowing to continue assessing the performance of government agencies. “Minister Adelabu must resign or be redeployed immediately to prevent further damage,” they concluded.
The statement was signed by Comrade James Ezema and Alhaji Ali Abacha, who reiterated their commitment to holding leaders accountable to “the suffering masses yearning for good governance.”
The monarch of Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State has denied any prior knowledge of a controversial festival linked to the alleged abuse of women and girls, as outrage continues to trail the incident across Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Anthony Ogbogbo, made the clarification when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited his palace following reports of harassment during the ‘Alue-Do’ festival.
According to the monarch, he had never encountered such practices in his over two decades on the throne. He stated that he had “never heard that a festival is celebrated with girls being harassed or molested” in the community, distancing the palace from the widely condemned incident.
The controversy stems from viral videos showing women being chased, stripped, and assaulted by youths during the cultural event held in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area. The disturbing footage sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over gender-based violence.
During the palace visit, the NANS delegation; alongside student leaders from Southern Delta University, confirmed that some of the victims were students who had since received medical attention. While reports indicated no confirmed cases of rape, the students described the incidents as serious molestation and a violation of human dignity.
NANS condemned the attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human rights and a threat to the safety of students in the community. The association called on security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has also condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric” and unacceptable, stressing that no cultural practice should justify violence against women. Authorities have launched investigations, with police confirming the arrest of suspects linked to the incident.
Civil society organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, have also demanded immediate prosecution of those responsible, insisting that cultural traditions must not be used to excuse abuse or undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and for a review of traditional practices that may expose individuals to harm.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that one of its officials has been taken into custody following the death of a corps member, Miss Victoria Ariyo, in Abeokuta South.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the NYSC described the incident as “tragic and deeply disturbing,” noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, disclosed that the staff member allegedly linked to the incident is currently in custody while relevant authorities continue their probe.
According to the scheme, it is working closely with security agencies to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation without interference.
“The management of the NYSC is deeply saddened by the loss of a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under circumstances currently being investigated,” the statement read.
The organisation extended condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for strength and comfort during the difficult period.
It also reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, stressing that the scheme maintains strict standards for both staff and corps members.
“We assure the public that we are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure the truth is established and justice is served without fear or favour,” the statement added.
The NYSC further urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow due process to take its course, emphasising that the welfare, safety, and dignity of corps members remain a top priority.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 additional suspects in connection with the sexual assault of women in Ozoro, bringing the total number of persons in custody to 15.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday, noting that the arrests followed a detailed review of video evidence and intelligence by operatives.
According to him, the suspects include Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others.
The Command stated that preliminary investigations, under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, revealed that the acts were carried out by criminal elements who took advantage of the situation to perpetrate sexual violence.
Police authorities emphasised that the actions were in no way reflective of any legitimate cultural practice.
“The Command condemns these acts in totality and remains committed to ensuring that all perpetrators are identified, arrested, and prosecuted,” the statement added, while urging victims and witnesses to come forward with useful information.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage following the circulation of a viral video showing young women being sexually harassed during a local festival in the community.
The footage was linked to the Alue-Do Festival held in Ozoro, a cultural event associated with traditional rites.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association described the incident as a “national disgrace,” calling for swift justice for the victims.
Similarly, the Delta State Government condemned the act, with the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”
However, the leadership of Ozoro Kingdom refuted claims circulating online, stating that the incident was a misapplication of certain symbolic aspects of the Alue-Do Festival by some youths.
Earlier, the police had announced the arrest of a community head and four other suspects in connection with the case, as investigations continue.