Fresh tension erupted at Nigeria’s National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday as protesters demanded the immediate confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Abdullahi Ramat.
The demonstrators, consisting of Ramat’s supporters, civil society groups, and human rights activists, gathered around the gates of the legislative complex. They chanted solidarity songs and carried placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees To Be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform In Power Sector.”
The protest followed the Senate’s decision last month to halt Ramat’s confirmation despite the nominee successfully passing the screening process conducted by the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Okay News reports that the protesters accused unnamed political figures of trying to block Ramat’s appointment for personal reasons.
Ahmed Suleiman, leader of the protesters and spokesperson of the Grassroots Initiative Concept, said during a press briefing that the group had already submitted petitions to both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to him, “certain vested interests” were attempting to frustrate a credible appointment.
“We write as proud indigenes of Kano State, just like the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibril, to express our firm commitment to the peace, progress, and good governance of our nation,” Suleiman said. “It is in this regard that we respectfully bring to your attention the yet-to-be-concluded confirmation of our son, Engr. Abdullahi Ramat, as NERC Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.”
He maintained that Ramat had the necessary academic qualifications and professional experience to lead the electricity regulatory body. Suleiman said it was both “surprising and deeply unsettling” that his name was stepped down from the Senate Order Paper on October 22 despite being recommended for approval by the screening committee.
The protesters further alleged that “a dangerous precedent” was being set where competent Nigerians were being subjected to “political manipulation and blackmail.” They urged the Senate to act in the national interest by confirming Ramat to support the government’s reforms in the power sector.
Their demonstration comes days after the Senate warned a former presidential aide, Alwan Hassan, to provide evidence for his claim that lawmakers received a $10 million bribe to stop the confirmation.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the bribery allegation as baseless. He explained that Ramat’s confirmation was delayed because of “public and private complaints” about his suitability for the post.
“The attention of the Senate has been drawn to the uncoordinated statements of one Alwan Hassan, who acts as a tool for Mr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat,” Adaramodu said. “Many nominees have been stepped down due to similar public concerns, and Ramat’s case is not an exception.”
He added that the Senate would compel Hassan to present evidence in court and reaffirmed that lawmakers would not approve any nominee “under a cloud of public suspicion.”
As it stands, Ramat’s nomination remains on hold pending further legislative review. The delay has intensified national frustration over electricity tariffs and the continued poor power supply across Nigeria.
