Group faults delay in NERC chair confirmation, blames Akpabio, Barau for obstruction

A civil society organisation, Grassroot Initiative Concept (GIC), has criticised the continued delay in the confirmation of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), calling out Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Barau Jibrin, for allegedly stalling the process.

Speaking to journalists in Kano on Friday, the group’s convener, Alwan Hassan, accused some lawmakers of deliberately obstructing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda by putting personal interests ahead of national progress.

“Rather than supporting the administration’s efforts to strengthen institutions and deliver development, they resort to pressure tactics, intimidation, and blackmail of presidential appointees and nominees. Such behaviour undermines governance, erodes public trust, and sabotages national development,” Hassan said.

He cited the stalled confirmation of Engr. Ramat—already screened by the Senate Committee on Power—as a glaring example.

According to Hassan, credible reports indicate that the delay is linked to the actions of Akpabio and Barau, both members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who “publicly claim to support the President but privately work against his decisions.”

“Despite being nominated by the President and screened by the Senate Committee on Power, Engr. Ramat’s confirmation has been stalled reportedly due to the actions of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio Godswill Obot Akpabio  and his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin. Unfortunately these two men are APC members who in public claim to support the President, but in private work against his decisions.

“It is deeply troubling that, according to credible accounts, this delay is not because Engr Ramat does not merit the job, or is it in the national interest, but rather it is rooted in Senator Barau’s political machinations and personal selfish interests. Unfortunately, this is not the first time such conduct has been attributed to the Senator working in cahoots with Senator Akpabio. Several individuals from Kano State have, in the past, allegedly been denied federal opportunities due to political interference and the desire to impose preferred candidates lacking the necessary competence or breadth of experience. Publicly circulating accounts include:

“1. The alleged orchestration of the removal of Abdullahi T. Gwarzo as Minister of State for Housing and replacement with a less influential nominee;
“2. Reported obstruction of federal opportunities for Dr. Nasiru Gawuna and Murtala Garo;
“3. Alleged interference leading to the replacement of Maryam Shetti as MD of NWDC with a political ally;
“4. Attempts to undermine Hon. Abba Bichi’s leadership in the House Appropriations Committee;
“5. Reported moves to prevent NNPP members from joining the APC in Kano to preserve political control.

“These patterns represent an unfortunate attempt by Senator Barau and his boss, Senator Akpabio to personalise the leadership of Kano State while limiting opportunities for Kano citizens based on political insecurity rather than merit or competence,” he said.

He noted that Engr. Ramat, aged 40, “epitomises a new generation of technocratic leadership.” An electrical engineer with advanced degrees in telecommunications and strategic management, Ramat has trained at Gonzaga University, Microsoft, and Harvard.

According to the group, his career reflects innovation and integrity—from reducing energy costs through modernisation projects in Kano, to digitising local governance systems, and managing complex power administration tasks at state level.

According to Hassan, upon his appointment, Ramat had pledged to align his NERC agenda with the Electricity Act 2023, prioritising transparency, efficiency, investor confidence, consumer protection, smart-grid adoption, technology integration, renewable energy, and modern regulatory enforcement.

“These are precisely the qualities Nigeria’s power sector needs after decades of stagnation and underinvestment,” Hassan said. “Those who truly desire progress should support such leadership; only those invested in the status quo would resist it.”

He added that the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had unanimously endorsed Ramat as eminently qualified for the position. However, the committee’s report, scheduled for adoption on October 22, was reportedly withheld following pressure from Senator Barau.

“It is ironic that a non-APC senator has shown greater commitment to the President’s vision than APC senators who claim to support him,” Hassan noted. “By their actions, Senators Akpabio and Barau are mocking the President.”

The GIC convener urged both lawmakers to “allow due process to prevail” and stop working against the President’s mandate and the interest of Kano citizens.

“If Senator Barau’s ambition is to lead Kano, let him pursue it through service and merit—not by obstructing capable sons and daughters of the state out of political insecurity,” Hassan said.

“Nigeria must move forward. Merit must prevail. Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat must be confirmed without further delay. We stand with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we stand with progress, and we stand with every young, competent, and patriotic Nigerian committed to national development,” he added.