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The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for his electricity promises, while acknowledging limited familiarity with the technical issues involved in fixing the sector.

Abdullahi made the remarks on Arise News’ Daybreak programme on Tuesday when asked about the administration’s performance and the ADC’s proposals for improving electricity generation and distribution.

‘This is not an area that I’m particularly familiar with,’ he said, explaining that he could offer an opinion on the broader policy direction.

The ADC spokesman nevertheless maintained that Tinubu should be held to his 2023 campaign commitment to improve electricity supply and end estimated billing.

‘Democracy is about accountability,’ Abdullahi said.

He alleged that electricity supply had deteriorated under the administration, with households and businesses facing unreliable service, high bills and increasing expenditure on alternative energy.

Abdullahi recalled Tinubu’s campaign declaration that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to deliver on electricity, arguing that the government owed citizens an explanation for its performance.

His remarks followed the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s defence of the President’s pledge.

The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, had argued that the statement should be considered in its entirety, including the qualification that Nigerians should withhold their votes if Tinubu failed to deliver unless he provided adequate reasons.

Alake also cited the Electricity Act 2023 and the Presidential Metering Initiative among the administration’s interventions in the sector.

Abdullahi, however, insisted that Nigerians deserved measurable improvements in supply and affordability.

On policy, he urged state governments to take advantage of the Electricity Act 2023 to develop electricity generation and distribution systems within their jurisdictions.

He also called for greater investment in power infrastructure from the increased revenues accruing to states following fuel subsidy removal.

Such expenditure, he argued, should take priority over projects he considered unnecessary.

Abdullahi said affordability would underpin the ADC’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 election, stressing that electricity, fuel and other essential commodities must be within Nigerians’ reach.

He maintained that rising energy costs had weakened small businesses, particularly those dependent on petrol and diesel generators, and reduced productivity.

The ADC spokesman said voters would have an opportunity in 2027 to assess whether the APC deserved another term based on its economic record and the cost of living.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the All Progressives Congress over reported robberies near the Cross River State governor’s private residence in Calabar, questioning why neighbours remained vulnerable despite heavy security around the property.

In a post on X, Atiku said residents of the estate had complained of break-ins while armed police officers and two roadblocks guarded the governor’s home.

He cited an account of a resident who lost an air conditioner and a freezer, alongside another report that robbers attacked two houses on a nearby street the previous week.

‘This is security, APC style: two roadblocks for the governor, and none for the people next door,’ Atiku said.

He alleged that the governor had operated from his private residence for nearly three years while Government House underwent renovation, yet people living nearby continued to fear attacks.

‘If the APC cannot secure the street beside the governor, what does it offer the villages beyond the capital?’ he asked.

Atiku pledged to reform the police into a public service focused on protecting citizens rather than political officeholders.

He also proposed expanding police personnel towards a ratio of one officer to every 450 citizens, which he described as an international standard, to extend protection beyond influential individuals.

The former vice president said he would establish community-based security and intelligence networks to help neighbourhoods raise alerts before criminals struck.

‘Security that stops at the governor’s gate is not security; it is a fence,’ he said.

The National Assembly has confirmed receipt of approval from 28 State Houses of Assembly for the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services in Nigeria.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Kamoru Ogunlana, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, confirmed the constitutional compliance with the alteration process for the state police creation.

Ogunlana said the bill was transmitted to the 36 state houses of assembly on Sept. 16, for consideration and approval within 30 days as required by law and procedures, adding that the stipulated period elapsed in Oct. 15.

He, however, said that his office would continue to accept reports until the bill is transmitted for presidential assent in line with existing regulations.

He said that 28 state houses of assembly approved the bill, exceeding the two-thirds threshold of 24 states required under Section 9 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999.

‘The office undertook administrative verification of reports and accompanying votes and proceedings to establish authenticity and ensure accurate reflection of legislative decisions taken by respective state houses of assembly nationwide,’ he said.

Ogunlana clarified that Section 9 does not expressly prescribe a third reading for a constitution alteration bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary bills before parliament in the National Assembly.

He said that necessary administrative processes were being undertaken to facilitate transmission of the Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent under the Authentication Act, CAP A2 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

‘The National Assembly appreciates the cooperation and timely responses of the State Houses of Assembly,’ he said.

The clerk described the approval as significant for strengthening the security architecture and deepening federalism in Nigeria’s evolving democratic system.

He said that the office of the clerk would continue to provide accurate and timely information on developments relating to the constitutional amendment process until the final presidential assent is secured and duly communicated to Nigerians.