CNPP, Civil society groups demand immediate resignation of power minister for incompetence

Monday, March 31, 2025 - The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations, CNCSOs, have jointly called for the immediate resignation of Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, citing incompetence and failure to address the country’s ongoing electricity crisis.

In a statement jointly issued by James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary of CNCSOs, on Sunday, the coalition criticized Minister Adelabu’s tenure, describing him as “a round peg in a square hole.”

The groups argued that the Minister lacks the capacity to effectively manage the power sector, pointing to persistent electricity shortages that have plagued the country for decades.

According to the coalition, over 40% of Nigerians remain without access to electricity, while those connected to the national grid endure inconsistent power supply ranging between 2,000MW and 4,000MW—figures that have stagnated since the 1980s.

The statement further decried the economic repercussions of the power crisis, including business closures, job losses, and hindered economic growth.

The groups also faulted Minister Adelabu for not leveraging the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023, which allows decentralized electricity provision and public-private partnerships to improve the sector.

“His inability to attract local and international investment has worsened Nigeria’s electricity challenges and undermined economic recovery,” the statement said.

The call for his resignation follows a recent report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, which documented three total grid collapses and two partial collapses in the last quarter of 2024.

Despite these failures, Nigerians, according to the coalition, paid a record N509.84 billion to electricity distribution companies in the same period, an increase from the N466.69 billion spent in the previous quarter. In total, the country experienced 12 grid collapses in 2024, further highlighting the depth of the crisis.

The CNPP and CNCSOs, also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy Minister Adelabu to a different ministry within seven days, questioning his qualifications for the power sector.

They noted that his background lies in finance, hospitality, entertainment, agriculture, and real estate rather than energy management.

“His appointment appears to be a case of political patronage rather than merit, and his performance has validated our concerns,” the statement read.

Beyond the power sector, the coalition expressed broader dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, arguing that they have led to increased hardship and discontent among Nigerians.

While acknowledging the President’s commitment to national development, the groups warned that incompetent appointees threaten these efforts and erode public trust.

“The power sector is too vital to Nigeria’s progress to be left in the hands of individuals without the necessary expertise and vision. Minister Adelabu must resign or be reassigned immediately to prevent further damage to Nigeria’s economy and the well-being of its citizens,” the statement concluded.

The coalition vowed to continue monitoring and evaluating government ministries, departments, and agencies, ensuring that they serve the best interests of the Nigerian people.