Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed increase in electricity tariffs, insisting that Nigerians should not be made to suffer the consequences of years of policy failures in the power sector.
Speaking with journalists in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Falana said the government must first fulfil its promise of providing stable and uninterrupted electricity before considering any tariff hike.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu pledged to improve electricity supply during his campaign, stressing that Nigerians deserve reliable power rather than higher bills for poor service.
Falana also faulted what he described as the government’s attempt to distance itself from the electricity sector after privatising distribution companies, arguing that authorities cannot abandon citizens to the shortcomings of private operators.
The senior advocate alleged that many owners of electricity distribution companies maintain close ties with government officials, warning that such relationships should not shield the firms from accountability.
He further urged the Federal Government to consider taking back control of the companies if the current privatisation arrangement has failed to deliver efficient electricity supply.
“The government should provide uninterrupted electricity. That was a promise made by President Bola Tinubu when he was a candidate,” Falana said.
He added that if the privatised firms cannot meet expectations, the government should either ensure they operate effectively or nationalise them in the interest of Nigerians.
Falana maintained that the focus should be on reforms that improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution, rather than imposing additional financial burdens on consumers.