Politics
Obong Victor Attah Accuses Obasanjo Of Blocking Power Distribution In Akwa Ibom
Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has accused ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo of halting his efforts to distribute electricity generated by a power plant he built in the state.
Attah, who served as governor from 1999 to 2007 during Obasanjo’s presidency, revealed that despite the approval of the project by Obasanjo, the then president later imposed a law requiring that the electricity generated by the Akwa Ibom power plant be added to the national grid rather than being used to supply the state.
READ MORE: “I Owe Less Than ₦30 Million” — Ubi Franklin
Attah made the allegations during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television on Friday.
He criticized the existing constitutional framework, stating that a new constitution and federal arrangement would empower states to be more autonomous and less subordinate to the central government.
“I decided I want to give Akwa Ibom State power. The president said no. The Federal Government is providing power for the country. I said: ‘I want to give Akwa Ibom State power’ and then I succeeded in building that power station,” Attah recalled.
“The president came and I saw that he was happy about what I was doing. He commissioned the power station but went back to Abuja and brought a law that if you generate, you cannot distribute it.”
Attah lamented that despite using state funds to build the power station, he was barred from distributing the generated electricity within Akwa Ibom.
Instead, it had to be added to the national grid, which he described as inefficient and prone to frequent failures.
“I used Akwa Ibom money (to build the plant) but I cannot distribute power to Akwa Ibom people? I have to put it in the National Grid that is failing all the time. That was how that ended,” he said, expressing his frustration that Akwa Ibom, like many other states, still lacks 24-hour reliable power.
Attah further explained that his actions were not driven by political party lines, as he was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time.
He noted that Obasanjo’s opposition was more about the structural flaws of Nigeria’s federal system, which he believes stifles progress.
“It does not say much about party politics; it says much about the constitution that we have — the non-federal constitution that we have,” Attah said.
“If we have a true federal constitution it would never have happened. I would have built my power station. Whatever party I belong to won’t have mattered. What is fundamentally wrong with us is the nature of the constitution that we have today — it is not a federal constitution and unless and until we go federal, we will not make progress.”
Reflecting on the persistent challenges of the power sector, Attah criticized Nigeria’s inefficient national grid and highlighted the missed opportunity for states to take charge of their own energy needs.
“We generate power and put it in the national grid – the inefficient national grid that is always collapsing…Every kobo that was spent was in Akwa Ibom money to build that power station but a faulty constitution and constitutional arrangement makes it possible for a president to say even this power station, I’m taking it from you and I’m putting it in the national grid.”
Attah also welcomed the recent amendment to the Electricity Act of 2023, which now allows states to generate, distribute, and regulate electricity.
He expressed confidence that the new law would enable Akwa Ibom to have its own power company that could meet the state’s energy needs.
“Now that the new law has been brought out, our governor (Umo Eno) is working very hard to make sure that we now have an Akwa Ibom power company that not only generate but distribute power to the people,” Attah said.
For decades, Nigeria has grappled with chronic power supply issues, which hinder economic productivity and development.
Despite efforts to privatize the sector, electricity generation, transmission, and distribution have remained plagued by policy inconsistency and insufficient investment.
In 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved an increase in electricity prices, while the costs of petrol and diesel—common alternatives to power supply—have also surged, further exacerbating the challenges faced by consumers.
In a move to decentralize the electricity market, NERC granted licenses to several states, including Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Kogi, Oyo, and Lagos, to independently generate and distribute power.
With permutations for 2027 elections already play high on the cards of Nigerian politicians, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is banking on Edo and Delta States to team up and swing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Biztellers reports that his calculation is informed by the massive defection of notable politicians into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in both States.
Gov Okpebholo made the assertion while welcoming the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie, who led the members of the Unity Group to join the APC.
Notable among other party stalwarts at the occasion were the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje and the party’s South-South leaders.
ALSO READ: Oyo Police Arrest Three Over Hijacking Of Petrol-Laden Truck
According to Okpebholo “just like Edo, Delta is ready to witness practical governance under APC.”
Beaming with joy, Gov Okpebholo added, “It is our turn to shine in the South South. It is now your turn in Delta. It is happening here, as it happened in Edo State. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing very well for the nation. He is repairing the foundation of the country for better prosperity. Because of that, in Edo State, we have started. We said 2027 is already possible. It is also possible here in Delta. I am here to welcome my brother, Chiedu Ebie.
“Chiedu is an intelligent young man who knows when to move. It is time for Delta to move, and it is starting here with Ika people.”
Receiving the decampees, Alh Ganduje, described the Delta Unity Group as great fighters of democracy, who have provided a strong vehicle that will lead APC to the Delta State Government House in 2027.
According to the APC national Chairman, “we have the three Senators now. We have members of the House of Representatives and State Assembly members, and over 60 percent of the followers of PDP have now joined the APC. We are assured of taking over this State come next election.
“We are not surprised because of the timber and caliber of politicians you have in Delta State in the APC. What we require now is unity. Unity of purpose and unity to win election. So we can provide quality governance to the people of Delta State.
“Very soon, we will organize a stakeholders meeting for all those major stakeholders because they are all good people. They are all wise people. They are all intelligent people, and they are all democrats. So, all of them will be convened for unity, like the Delta Unity Group.”
On his part, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Ebie, noted that their conviction to join the party was borne out of the love for good governance and party inclusiveness which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated.
Earlier, while at the Palace of the Dein of Agbor, Dr Benjamin Ikenchukwu, the Keagborekuzi the first, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure peace and security across the country for the needed development in the country.
Present at the rally were Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko; Chairman House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Teke Ibori-Swenu; former Deputy Senate President, Omo Agege, among other party big wigs.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that his administration would do everything within its powers to take care of Edo State civil servants and make them happy.
He made the pledge on Friday when he received Executives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, led by its Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Egwekhide said they were in Government House to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the governorship election tribunal that affirmed his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
On his part, the Governor said whatever Edo State workers are enjoying in the state is the responsibility of his administration to do because it is worker friendly.
ALSO READ: Uromi Killings: FG, Edo State Set Up Fact-Finding Committee
Okpebholo said, “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.
“We embrace transparency in all what we do as a government to enable the people to trust us as we are not afraid of criticism. Positive criticism will put us on our toes to work harder for Edo people.
“The renewed hope agenda of the president has given us room and platform to perform and serve Edo people better as we embark on practical governance.
“We are doing everything in the State to ensure peace, unity, growth, and development. That is why we ensure smooth collaboration amongst the three tires of government. In all we do in the State, we ensure the three Senatorial zones are carried along.”
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate.
He said the visit was necessary as the body had come to congratulate the Governor for his deserved victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
According to him, “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers.
“Without asking, workers received their 13th month. You raised the subvention of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) from N41 to N500 million. You regularized casual workers in Edo State. You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion naira for both local and State pensioners.”
He noted that a committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action.
“We thank the governor for several employments given to our people in the very short time in office,” he added.
In a related development, Gov Monday Okpebholo also received the new branch controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Edo State, Apanke Utande who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, where the Governor urged him to collaborate with his administration to improve the lives of Edo people.
Sir Jude Idimogu, a former two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has strongly stated that there will be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock come 2027, reaffirming his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Idimogu, who served as the representative of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II from 2015 to 2023, shared his views during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
His comments followed the recent declaration from an opposition group promising to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
READ ALSO: Tinubu, AGF Snub Suit Seeking To Sack Rivers’ Sole Administrator
A steadfast member of the APC and deputy leader of the Ndigbo socio-cultural group in Lagos, Idimogu dismissed the opposition’s chances of defeating President Tinubu in 2027, asserting that no coalition of opposition leaders could pose a significant challenge to the president’s second-term aspirations.
“The ruling party has strong leadership and unwavering grassroots support that will carry us through to victory in 2027,” Idimogu stated, branding the opposition’s efforts as “futile.”
He further noted that power rotation between the North and South made it clear that it was the South’s turn to complete its eight years in office.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027, and I am appealing to all Northerners in the APC to support the president in completing his eight years,” he added.
In his assessment of the current administration’s progress, Idimogu lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, citing positive developments such as better power supply, the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, and the implementation of policies that have helped reduce food prices and boost agricultural output.
“With the restoration of the naira-for-crude deal and the export drive, we are seeing tangible results. I don’t see any opposition candidate who can present a policy better than what Tinubu’s administration is already doing,” he explained.
Looking ahead to 2027, Idimogu expressed his firm belief that he would be among those advocating for President Tinubu’s re-election, given the progress already made under his leadership.
Idimogu concluded by urging the opposition coalition to reconsider its stance, suggesting that they join forces with the president for the greater good of the nation.
Rivers Women Stage Solidarity March In Support Of Emergency Rule
Data Protection Act Amendments: SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against National Assembly Leadership
2027: Okpebholo Banks On Edo, Delta States To Swing Tinubu’s Reelection
Police Arrest Two For Alleged Vandalism At Defunct Aba Textile Mills
Oyo Police Arrest Three Over Hijacking Of Petrol-Laden Truck
