In a recent statement, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed serious concerns about Nigeria’s persistent power supply issues and the frequent collapses of the national grid. His comments come amid widespread blackouts affecting various regions, particularly the Southeast, Northwest, and Northeast, which have endured a total blackout for the past three weeks.
Atiku condemned the prolonged blackout, urging the relevant ministries and departments to take immediate action. He emphasized the urgent need for intervention to restore electricity to the affected areas. “Every government department responsible for addressing the problem must act swiftly to restore electricity to these distressed geopolitical zones,” he stated on his official X.com account.
In his policy document, *My Covenant with Nigerians*, Atiku claims to have laid out a comprehensive plan to tackle the country’s ongoing power challenges. He believes that his proposed solutions are the most proactive measures available to address Nigeria’s chronic electricity outages. “My solution, as encapsulated in my policy document, remains the most proactive plan to lead our country out of perennial darkness,” he affirmed.
Atiku further advocated for the decentralization of electricity management, suggesting that states should be empowered to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently. “There is an urgent need to remove the entire electricity value chain from the exclusive list,” he stated, highlighting the importance of state-level autonomy in energy production and management.
He underscored the necessity of developing complementary infrastructure to support the transmission and distribution of additional energy produced at the state level. “Even as we focus on investments in additional generation, there is a compelling need for capacity in the complementary transmission and distribution infrastructure,” he added, stressing the importance of a robust energy network.
Additionally, Atiku called for a diversified energy strategy that incorporates both renewable and non-renewable sources. “Considering that energy opportunities exist in different parts of the country, our strategy should involve a viable mix of renewable and non-renewable sources,” he stated, indicating a balanced approach to energy sourcing.
Finally, Atiku encouraged private investment in the energy sector, specifically in the development of mini-grid transmission systems. “I wish to restate my earlier recommendation to encourage private investors to invest in developing multiple greenfield mini-grid transmission systems,” he concluded, emphasizing that these systems could eventually be linked into a national super-grid to enhance overall energy access.
