TINUBU’S ELECTRICITY PLEDGE: APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL DEFENDS PRESIDENT’S POWER SECTOR RECORD, OUTLINES REFORMS AND UNFINISHED PROJECT
Council Says President Will Explain Progress on Metering, Electricity Supply, Legacy Debts and Grid Modernisation Ahead of 2027 Election
November 1, 2026
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s record in Nigeria’s electricity sector, insisting that his 2023 campaign pledge must be assessed in its entirety and alongside the reforms undertaken since he assumed office.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council responded to renewed public commentary concerning Tinubu’s promise to provide reliable electricity and eliminate estimated billing.
The council recalled that Tinubu, speaking to members of the Organised Private Sector in Lagos before the 2023 presidential election, promised to address longstanding problems affecting electricity generation, transmission, distribution and consumer billing.
The President had also challenged Nigerians to hold him accountable should he fail to deliver, while stating that he would provide adequate reasons for any shortcomings before seeking another mandate.
According to the council, public discussion of the pledge should include that qualification and a measurable assessment of the administration’s achievements and outstanding challenges.
ELECTRICITY ACT AND STATE PARTICIPATION
The statement identified the Electricity Act of June 2023 as an important milestone in the administration’s efforts to restructure the power sector.
The legislation provides for decentralised electricity markets, enabling states to establish regulatory institutions and facilitate investments in generation, distribution and related infrastructure within their jurisdictions.
The council cited Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Kaduna and Niger among states taking advantage of the new framework.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission reported in May 2026 that 15 states had transitioned to regulating their own electricity markets, demonstrating the widening implementation of the legislation.
The council maintained that these changes would encourage investment, expand electricity access and reduce longstanding dependence on centralised decision-making.
METERING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
On estimated billing, the council highlighted the Presidential Metering Initiative, introduced to address Nigeria’s substantial electricity meter deficit.
It stated that more than 1.5 million customers had been metered over the preceding three years, while further deployments were being pursued to reduce billing disputes and improve transparency.
The administration’s metering programme targets millions of additional smart meters, with the broader objective of improving revenue collection, protecting consumers and reducing commercial losses.
The council also cited government efforts to balance cost-reflective electricity tariffs with affordability, particularly for low-income households.
It acknowledged that eliminating estimated billing and ensuring stable electricity supply remain unfinished responsibilities.
₦4 TRILLION LEGACY DEBT PROGRAMME
Another major component of the statement concerned the government’s programme to address accumulated debts owed to electricity generation companies and gas suppliers.
The council said the administration had introduced a ₦4 trillion bond programme to settle verified legacy obligations and restore financial stability to the electricity market.
According to the statement, the first two bond tranches raised more than ₦1.2 trillion.
This is consistent with reported transactions totalling approximately ₦1.23 trillion, comprising the inaugural ₦501 billion issuance in January 2026 and a second issuance of approximately ₦729 billion.
The council argued that resolving historical payment obligations would improve investor confidence, enable generating companies to maintain existing facilities and support new investment.
It cited Geregu Power’s recently announced transformer investments as an example of ongoing efforts to upgrade generating infrastructure.
TRANSMISSION EXPANSION AND GRID MODERNISATION
The council also highlighted the Presidential Power Initiative, originally introduced under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
It said Tinubu’s administration reviewed the programme and signed an acceleration agreement with German partners in December 2023 to advance transmission infrastructure projects.
The statement recalled the Federal Executive Council’s December 2024 approval for upgrades to five transmission substations serving major electricity demand centres.
It further cited June 2026 approval for eight new substations and upgrades to four existing facilities.
According to the council, equipment procurement and construction requirements mean that major transmission projects cannot be completed immediately.
The statement also referred to plans to modernise the ageing Osogbo Grid Control Centre and develop an East-West super grid.
It said investments in transmission infrastructure were essential to improving the electricity system’s capacity to deliver available power to households, industries and businesses.
PRESIDENT TO PRESENT POWER SECTOR SCORECARD
The council acknowledged that Nigeria’s electricity challenges remain unresolved despite the administration’s legislative, financial and infrastructure interventions.
It maintained that the President remained committed to improving electricity supply and would present Nigerians with a detailed account of achievements, outstanding projects and further commitments as he seeks a second term.
The statement concluded that fixing the electricity sector requires sustained investment, financial stability and effective implementation.
For electricity consumers, the continuing measures of progress will be the reliability of supply, the availability of meters, the affordability of tariffs and improvements in service delivery.
Source: APC Presidential Campaign Council press statement, signed by Dele Alake, November 1, 2026.
