The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, over what it described as incompetence, failed leadership, and unnecessary foreign trips while the country grapples with a worsening electricity crisis.

This was detailed in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in Abuja, on Monday, in which the HURIWA expressed disappointment that despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign promise to improve electricity supply, the situation has continued to deteriorate.

The rights group highlighted the frequent collapse of the national grid, erratic power supply, and increasing electricity tariffs that have negatively impacted businesses and the economy.

ALSO READ: Okpebholo Inaugurates Three Governing Councils

“Reports indicate that Nigeria’s national grid experienced at least 12 collapses in 2024, with another recorded in March 2025. These failures have led to widespread power outages across the country, with little explanation from the Ministry of Power beyond references to gas shortages, vandalism, or system disturbances. The recurring collapses have exacerbated economic hardships, leaving millions of citizens and businesses struggling to cope with unreliable power supply,” the HURIWA frowned.

Citing data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the HURIWA noted that the national grid has collapsed at least 141 times in the past decade, with 46 recorded between 2017 and 2024. In 2023 alone, the grid failed more than 10 times, plunging millions of Nigerians into darkness. The group recalled that in September 2023, the national grid collapsed twice in one week, while another failure in February 2024 left major cities such as Lagos and Abuja without electricity for days.

The HURIWA criticized power sector officials for treating these failures as routine occurrences instead of taking decisive corrective measures. It compared Nigeria’s situation to developed nations, where even a single power failure prompts swift government intervention. The group referenced the United Kingdom’s 2019 power outage, which led to an immediate response, contrasting it with Nigeria’s lack of urgency in addressing persistent blackouts.

According to the group, while developed countries invest heavily in maintaining and upgrading their power infrastructure, Nigeria continues to rely on outdated and poorly managed facilities that are prone to frequent breakdowns.

The association also condemned Adelabu’s frequent international travels, questioning their impact on resolving Nigeria’s power issues. Investigations reveal that since assuming office, the minister has travelled to countries including Barbados, Tanzania, Japan, and the United States, as well as meeting with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria.

However, the HURIWA argued that these trips have not translated into tangible improvements in electricity supply. The group insisted that rather than embarking on foreign trips, the minister should focus on implementing policies that would address the fundamental issues plaguing the power sector, such as poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, and lack of transparency.

The HURIWA emphasized the severe consequences of unreliable electricity on businesses, stating that high costs of alternative power sources have forced many to shut down. It noted that hospitals have also struggled to provide critical medical services due to power outages, further endangering lives. The group stressed that industries that rely heavily on electricity, such as manufacturing and technology, have been forced to either downsize operations or relocate to other countries with stable power supply, leading to job losses and economic decline.

The rights group accused the minister of prioritizing personal luxury over national duty and urged President Tinubu to immediately restructure the power ministry.

It called for the replacement of the current leadership with competent professionals and the implementation of accountability measures to ensure improved performance. The HURIWA also urged the government to introduce policies that would encourage private sector participation in power generation and distribution, as seen in other countries with more efficient electricity systems.

The HURIWA further demanded a full audit of the funds allocated to the power sector under the Tinubu administration, questioning why billions of naira budgeted for electricity projects have not translated into improved supply.

It also called on the National Assembly to summon Adelabu for questioning over the persistent failures in the sector. The group emphasized that Nigerians deserve to know how public funds allocated for electricity infrastructure have been spent and whether there has been any mismanagement or diversion of resources.

The group warned that if urgent action is not taken, it would mobilize citizens for mass protests to demand accountability from the government. It stressed that Nigerians deserve better and that the ongoing electricity crisis must be addressed without further delays.

In addition, the HURIWA called on civil society organizations, labour unions, and business communities to join in demanding immediate reforms in the power sector, stating that electricity is a fundamental necessity for national development and economic prosperity. The rights group insisted that if the government fails to take meaningful steps towards resolving the crisis, Nigerians should not hesitate to take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to demand their right to a stable and reliable power supply.

With the worsening power situation, the HURIWA’s demands reflect the frustrations of millions of Nigerians who have endured decades of failed promises and ineffective reforms. Whether the government will heed these calls for change remains to be seen, but the group maintains that urgent and decisive action is needed to prevent further economic deterioration and hardship for citizens.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has inaugurated three new governing councils for Institutions and Agencies in the state.

The establishments with newly governing councils are Persons with Disabilities, Edo University, Iyamho and Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) Service Commission.

After inaugurating the three groups in the new Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, Okpebholo charged the new appointees to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.

The Governor said the task for the newly-inaugurated bodies is enormous and charged them to discharge their duties and responsibilities according to the law governing the State.

ALSO READ: State Of Emergency Resonates In Edo State

“We are all here because of this event today as my administration has carefully selected those we are inaugurating today to collaborate with us to pilot the affairs of the State and contribute to its development.

“We have carefully selected great minds to run the affairs of Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission believing they will bring the needed change required to develop Edo State,” he said.

To the members of the Governing Council Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, led by the chairman, Theophilus Egbodion, the Governor said that despite their challenges, his administration would not discriminate against anybody.

“There is no discrimination in this administration. We are all one working to achieve our common goal, which is to develop Edo State. The situation you find yourselves is not made by you but caused by circumstances and with you in our Government, we will relate with others very well. You are not disabled in mind as I promise to work with you as all your requests will be looked into.”

For the governing council of Edo State University Iyamho, led by Prof. Olusegun Akinyinka, the Governor, said the members chosen by his administration were a well-calculated move to bring credible people with proven characters to govern and move the school forward.

“Your choice is deliberate as we believe that with your experience, the school will do very well. As we inaugurate you today, the university will experience a new dawn such that the school will assume an enviable height,” he stated.

Okpebholo said the task ahead of the newly-inaugurated members is enormous and “I charge you to discharge your duties and responsibilities according to the law governing the State. I want to thank and welcome you to the fold.”

Responding, the chairmen, Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Ezehi Igbas; chairman Governing Council Edo State commission for persons with disabilities, Egbodion; and Chairman Governing Council of Edo University, Iyamho, Prof. Olusegun Akinyinka thanked the Governor for finding them and their team worthy of the appointments and promised to support and collaborate with the administration to succeed.

The Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) in Rivers State have been thrown into a state of anxiety following a directive from the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), ordering them to submit reports detailing the activities of their councils over the past two years.

The directive, issued through a letter from Dame Dr. Itong Awani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, mandates that the reports be submitted by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

The sudden call for accountability has unsettled many LGA heads, particularly given the political backdrop in Rivers State.

Following the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the 2024 local government elections, suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara had directed the HLGAs to take over local government administration.

READ MORE:Lawyer Petitions Court To Declare Rivers Sole Administrator’s Appointment Null

Now, the administrator’s demand for a comprehensive report has sparked speculation about potential changes in the councils’ leadership.

The letter, which only became public on Wednesday, outlined specific areas the reports must cover. According to the directive, HLGAs must provide: Introduction/Preamble, Functions of the Council, Number of Staff on Nominal Roll (categorized by cadre), Sources of Revenue Generation, Activities, Ongoing, and Completed Projects in the Past Two Years, Achievements of the Council, Challenges and Recommendations.

The letter emphasized the urgency of compliance, stating: “His Excellency, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has directed that all Heads of Local Government Administration should submit the report of their councils to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs.

“I am also to inform you that all submissions using the format listed below should reach the office of the undersigned on or before Wednesday, 26th March, 2025, for onward transmission to the office of the Sole Administrator, Government House, Port Harcourt for further necessary action.”

Additionally, the directive instructs LGA heads to highlight the challenges faced by their councils and provide recommendations on how to address them.