2027: APC Tells Nigerians to Judge Tinubu by Power Reforms, Not Campaign Soundbite

President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has urged Nigerians to assess the President’s electricity campaign promise based on the reforms carried out by his administration rather than isolated comments from his 2023 campaign speech.

The council said Tinubu never denied that fixing Nigeria’s electricity sector would be difficult, stressing that he had promised to explain to Nigerians if some of his targets were not fully achieved before seeking a second term.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake, the council accused critics of quoting only part of Tinubu’s campaign remarks while leaving out the concluding statement that provided the full context.

During a meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos before the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu had declared: “Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.”

The APC said the President has since embarked on wide-ranging reforms, beginning with the signing of the Electricity Act 2023, which opened the sector to greater participation by state governments and private investors.

According to the council, several states have already established electricity regulatory agencies, while the Federal Government has launched the Presidential Metering Initiative to address the country’s over seven million metering gap. It said more than 1.5 million customers have been provided with meters under the programme.

The statement added that the administration has also moved to clear inherited debts in the power sector through a N4 trillion bond programme, improve transmission infrastructure, modernise ageing facilities and support investments by electricity generation companies.

The campaign council further said universities, hospitals and rural communities have been connected to solar power projects, while new substations and transmission upgrades are expected to improve electricity supply across the country.

While admitting that the country’s electricity challenges have not been completely resolved, the APC insisted that the reforms already introduced have laid the foundation for long-term improvement and a more stable electricity market.

The council maintained that President Tinubu remains committed to fulfilling his campaign promises and would present his achievements and explain outstanding challenges to Nigerians as he seeks re-election in the 2027 presidential election.