Atiku Warns Tinubu Against Planned Removal Of Electricity Subsidy In 2027, Says Nigerians Can’t Bear More Hardship | Sahara Reporters

The Bola Tinubu-led government has announced plans to phase out electricity subsidies from 2027 as part of efforts to address mounting liabilities in the power sector and establish a more financially sustainable electricity market.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has warned President Bola Tinubu against proceeding with plans to phase out electricity subsidies from 2027, saying Nigerian households and businesses are already struggling with rising energy costs.

Atiku made the call in a video address on Friday while speaking about the rising cost of living, government palliatives and energy prices.

The Bola Tinubu-led government has announced plans to phase out electricity subsidies from 2027 as part of efforts to address mounting liabilities in the power sector and establish a more financially sustainable electricity market.

Power Minister, Joseph Tegbe, said the government was working on mechanisms to cushion the effect of the reforms on vulnerable consumers.

But Atiku warned that removing the subsidy without first reducing the economic burden on households and businesses could worsen the hardship being experienced across the country.

He argued that government interventions such as food distribution and cash transfers could not permanently compensate Nigerians for the effects of rising transportation and energy costs.

“A bag of rice cannot repair an economy in which transportation costs outrun salaries,” Atiku said.

“A cash transfer cannot permanently compensate a worker for whose income is continually eroded by energy costs. Palliatives manage pain. Good policy addresses the source of the pain.”

The former vice president said Nigerians were now being confronted with another potential increase in their cost of living following the Federal Government’s plan to phase out electricity subsidies.

“And as if the pressure on families were not enough, Nigerians are now being told that electricity subsidies will be phased out in 2027,” he said.

Atiku warned that households and businesses were already struggling to cope with the cost of electricity.

“Electricity is already expensive. Families are calculating how long their units will last,” he said.

“Small businesses are struggling to keep the lights on. Manufacturers are spending enormous amounts on electricity, diesel, and alternative power simply to keep factories running.”

He said the impact of electricity costs extends across several categories of small businesses and manufacturers that depend on power to operate.

“The barber needs electricity for his clippers. The tailor needs it for her machines. The frozen food seller needs it to preserve her stock. The welder needs it for his equipment. The manufacturer needs it to keep the factory alive,” Atiku said.

The ADC candidate also warned the Tinubu administration against repeating what he described as the experience of petrol subsidy removal by implementing another energy reform before putting adequate measures in place to protect consumers.

“The lesson of petrol must not be repeated with electricity,” he said.

“Do not remove first and think later. Do not impose the pain first and search for palliatives afterwards.”

The Federal Government’s plan to phase out electricity subsidies follows efforts to address the financial challenges confronting Nigeria’s power sector.

Tegbe said in July that the government was targeting an end to electricity subsidy payments in 2027 while working to clear an estimated ₦3.3 trillion legacy debt in the electricity market and develop a sustainable funding structure.

Atiku, however, urged the President to use the remaining period of his administration to reduce the economic burden on Nigerians.

He said the period leading to the 2027 election should not be treated as insignificant by the government because millions of Nigerians were struggling to meet their daily needs.

“Eight months may sound short inside Aso Rock, but eight months is a very long time when you are living from hand to mouth,” he said.

Atiku also offered to provide the Federal Government with policy proposals that he said could help reduce the burden on Nigerians, despite being a political opponent of Tinubu.

“And if your government requires policy ideas or technical input on how to bring relief, I am prepared to make mine available,” he said.

“Nigerians do not have to wait for another administration before they benefit from an idea that can help them today.”

He added: “If you need the framework, I will provide it. Implement it under your government. Give it whatever name you choose. Take the credit.”

Atiku concluded by saying that his political contest with Tinubu should not take precedence over the welfare of Nigerians.

“I am prepared to compete with you politically, but I will never compete with the welfare of the Nigerian people.”

Atiku’s comments come amid an increasingly prominent debate over energy subsidies ahead of the 2027 general election. The former vice president has also pledged to restore petrol subsidy if elected, a position he has repeatedly defended despite criticism from the Tinubu administration and other commentators.

The government’s stated position is that electricity subsidies are financially unsustainable and that reforms are needed to make the power sector viable, while Atiku is arguing that the transition should not further increase the burden on households and businesses.