Atiku Promises to Scrap Nigeria’s Electricity Tariff Bands if Elected President in 2027

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to abolish Nigeria’s five-band electricity tariff system if elected president in 2027, accusing President Bola Tinubu of failing to deliver on his promise of stable power supply.

Atiku made the pledge in a statement issued Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council. He was responding to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council’s defence of the Tinubu administration’s performance in the power sector.

Atiku accused the ruling party of celebrating policy announcements while Nigerians continue to endure unreliable electricity and rising costs of alternative power.

“The APC should spare Nigerians the spectacle of celebrating paperwork while homes and businesses remain in darkness,” he said.

He criticised the five-band tariff structure, which classifies consumers into Bands A, B, C, D and E based on expected hours of electricity supply.

Atiku said some Band A customers pay about ₦209.50 per kilowatt-hour, excluding value-added tax, yet consumers across the different categories still experience frequent power interruptions.

“Yet across every band, the same hardship endures: the power fails, but the bill arrives,” he said.

The former vice president also questioned the Federal Government’s plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027, asking how the policy would affect household and business electricity bills.

He further accused Tinubu of failing to fulfil his 2023 campaign promise to provide constant electricity within four years.

Atiku recalled the president’s campaign pledge: “If I don't give you constant electricity for four years, when I come back for a second term, don't vote for me.”

He promised to work with state governments and electricity regulators to make power more affordable and ensure electricity distribution companies are held accountable for the service they provide.

“Steady power that Nigerians can afford will be a national priority,” he said.

However, the APC Presidential Campaign Council defended the administration’s record, citing the Electricity Act 2023, a ₦4 trillion debt-settlement programme and the Presidential Metering Initiative.

The council’s spokesman, Dele Alake, acknowledged that fixing the power sector remained unfinished but said Tinubu was committed to improving electricity supply.