A political Pressure Group, Grassroot Initiative Concept, has called on the Senate leadership to expedite action on the confirmation of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The Convener of the group, Alwan Hassan, made the appeal on Friday in Kano during a press conference, where he alleged that internal political interference was delaying the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position.
Hassan said the continued delay by the Senate to confirm Engr. Ramat, despite his nomination by Tinubu and clearance by the Senate Committee on Power, was contrary to the spirit of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises merit, competence, and institutional reform.
He expressed concern that “some parliamentarians are working against the reform agenda of the President by imposing personal interests on national decisions,” alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, were obstructing the process for political reasons.
“It is deeply troubling that this delay is not about merit or national interest, but political machinations. Engr. Ramat’s credentials are exceptional, he is young, competent, and committed to reforming the power sector,” Hassan stated.
He described Ramat as part of a new generation of technocrats with proven records of innovation, efficiency, and integrity, adding that his agenda for NERC was in line with the Electricity Act 2023, which prioritises transparency, investor confidence, renewable energy, and consumer protection.
According to Hassan, the delay in confirming Ramat represents “a wider pattern of political obstruction that denies qualified Kano citizens opportunities to serve their country.”
He urged Senators Akpabio and Barau to “allow due process to prevail and respect the President’s mandate,” adding that “no individual should hold the nation hostage or subvert meritocracy for personal ambition.”
“The future of our power sector is too important, the needs of Nigerians too urgent, and the President’s reform momentum too critical to allow internal sabotage. Merit must prevail, and Engr Ramat must be confirmed without further delay,” Hassan added.
He reaffirmed the group’s support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and called on all political actors to align with the administration’s efforts to strengthen governance, deliver service, and build a prosperous Nigeria.
“We stand with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. We stand with progress. And we stand with every young, competent, patriotic Nigerian committed to national development,” Hassan concluded.