A human rights lawyer and leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Niyi Aborisade, has faulted the Federal Government’s plan to set aside ₦3.6 trillion for electricity subsidies between 2026 and 2028, describing the move as “punishment without performance”.

Aborisade’s remarks followed revelations contained in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF-FSP), which proposes a first-line deduction of ₦1.2 trillion annually from the Federation Account.

The funds, according to the document, are to be used to finance electricity subsidies through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET).

While the Federal Government says the subsidy arrangement is designed to clear mounting debts in the power sector and improve transparency, Aborisade argued that Nigerians have endured worsening electricity supply despite repeated tariff hikes.

“Despite unprecedented increases in electricity tariffs, Nigerians are yet to see an uninterrupted power supply. What we have today is the worst electricity situation in Nigeria’s history,” he said.

Aborisade, who is a governorship aspirant in Oyo State in 2027, described the frequent collapse of the national grid as a national embarrassment, noting that blackouts have become routine rather than exceptional.

“Almost every month, the national grid collapses, plunging the country into darkness, yet the government wants to sacrifice ₦3.6 trillion of public funds to sustain failure,” he stated.

Under the MTEF proposal, the planned deductions would be taken from the Federation Account before revenues are shared among the Federal Government, states and local governments, effectively spreading the cost of electricity subsidies across all tiers of government.

Aborisade warned that the move would significantly reduce funds available to states and local councils for essential services such as healthcare, education, roads and rural development.

“This policy will starve states and local governments of critical resources. It is another big elephant project that delivers hardship instead of hope to the people,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that electricity subsidies are shielding Nigerians from high costs, arguing that Nigerians already pay among the highest electricity tariffs relative to the quality of supply.

“Electricity is cheaper and more reliable in countries like the UK. Here, Nigerians pay outrageous bills, yet still depend heavily on generators to survive,” Aborisade said.

He reserved strong criticism for the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, accusing him of incompetence and failure to take responsibility for the sector’s persistent challenges.

“A minister who blames Nigerians for not switching off refrigerators at night has clearly lost touch with reality. That statement reflects a lack of leadership and understanding of the crisis,” he said, calling for the minister’s resignation.

Although some power sector experts have defended the subsidy-sharing framework as consistent with federalism, Aborisade insisted that subsidies without tangible improvement amount to fiscal waste.

“If ₦3.6 trillion will guarantee stable electricity and lower tariffs, Nigerians might endure it. But asking citizens to fund failure is unacceptable,” he said. (Saturday Tribune)

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