Oyo ADC guber aspirant faults FG over ₦3.6tr electricity subsidy

By Adejayan Gbenga –

Human rights lawyer and African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Aborisade, has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s plan to allocate ₦3.6 trillion to fund electricity subsidies from 2026 to 2028.

Aborisade described the proposal as “punishment without performance,” saying Nigerians still suffer frequent power outages even as electricity tariffs continue to rise.

Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, he reacted to aspects of the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF-FSP). The plan proposes deducting about ₦1.2 trillion annually from revenues shared among the federal, state, and local governments to fund electricity subsidies through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET).

The Federal Government says the subsidies will help settle debts in the power sector and make the system more transparent. However, Aborisade argued that Nigerians have not seen any real improvement in electricity supply despite repeated tariff hikes.

He described the national grid as being in “the worst electricity situation in Nigeria’s history,” pointing to frequent grid collapses that leave the country in darkness for extended periods.

Aborisade also warned that the subsidy plan could reduce the funds available to state and local governments.

According to him, this may affect essential services such as healthcare, education, road construction, and rural development. He rejected claims that the subsidies are protecting consumers from high costs.

He further criticised the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, accusing him of poor leadership and lack of accountability. Aborisade said subsidies could be reasonable if they guarantee reliable electricity and lower tariffs, but forcing citizens to fund a failing system is unacceptable.