Amaechi: Electricity consumers react as Atiku vows to scrap Band A tariff, restore full subsidy

Electricity consumers have voiced their opinions on a proposal made by Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers State governor and vice-presidential candidate for Atiku Abubakar’s African Democratic Congress. Amaechi, in an address to his supporters, claimed that Atiku would restore full electricity subsidy and scrap the Band A tariff. According to the DAILY POST, the Nigerian government increased tariffs for Band A consumers in 2024, promising a minimum of 20 hours of daily power supply.

However, Amaechi later announced that Atiku would eliminate the tariff if elected on January 16, 2027.

The President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, spoke to DAILY POST regarding Amaechi's statement. Olubiyo criticized political gladiators for making false claims to appeal to voters during election season. He stated that non-state actors and NGOs do not align with these promises, as political leaders often focus on securing oil assets, signature bonds, and wealth distribution.

Olubiyo emphasized that the real issues facing Nigeria's electricity sector are technical losses, commercial losses, and leakages, rather than subsidy or tariff adjustments.

Olubiyo further detailed the main concerns in the electricity sector, stating that technical and commercial losses are prevalent, with significant amounts of electricity unaccounted for. He called for making the electricity sector commercially viable, focusing on addressing these underlying issues.