Aborisade Knocks FG’s N3.6tn Power Subsidy Plan, Says Nigerians Paying More for Darkness Than Light
Barrister Chief Niyi Aborisade, governorship aspirant and leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has launched a scathing attack on the Federal Government’s plan to deduct N3.6tn from the Federation Account to fund electricity subsidies between 2026 and 2028, describing it as a “punishment without performance.”
Aborisade spoke amid disclosures in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF-FSP), which proposes an annual N1.2tn first-line deduction from FAAC revenues to bankroll electricity subsidies through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET).
While the Federal Government says the policy is aimed at tackling ballooning subsidy debts and improving transparency in the power sector, Aborisade said Nigerians have seen nothing but rising tariffs, worsening blackouts, and repeated national grid collapses.
“Despite unprecedented increases in electricity tariffs, Nigerians are yet to see uninterrupted power supply. What we have today is the worst electricity situation in Nigeria’s history,” he said.
He described the frequent collapse of the national grid as a national embarrassment, noting that blackouts have become routine rather than exceptional.
“Almost every month, the grid collapses and the country goes dark. Yet, Nigerians are told to pay more and now to sacrifice N3.6tn from public funds,” Aborisade stated.
According to the MTEF document, the Federal Government plans to deduct N1.2tn yearly from the Federation Account before revenues are shared among the Federal Government, states, and local governments, effectively spreading the cost of electricity subsidies across all tiers of government.
But Aborisade warned that the move would squeeze state and local government finances and worsen service delivery at the grassroots.
“This deduction will reduce funds meant for hospitals, schools, roads, and local development. It is another big elephant project that delivers hardship instead of hope,” he said.
The ADC chieftain also faulted claims that electricity subsidies are protecting Nigerians, arguing that power costs in Nigeria are already among the highest relative to supply quality.
“Electricity in Nigeria is more expensive than in the UK, where power supply is stable and uninterrupted. Here, citizens pay outrageous bills and still depend on generators,” he said.
Aborisade reserved his harshest words for the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, accusing him of incompetence and failure to take responsibility for the sector’s collapse.
“A minister who blames Nigerians for not switching off refrigerators at night has clearly lost touch with reality. That statement shows a deep lack of insight and leadership,” he said.
Calling for urgent leadership change in the power sector, Aborisade said Nigeria needs bold reforms, not recycled excuses.
“The Minister of Power should resign and allow a competent hand to take over. Nigeria needs an electricity revolution. Our people have suffered enough,” he declared.
Although some power sector experts have welcomed the subsidy-sharing framework as consistent with federalism, Aborisade insisted that subsidies without results amount to fiscal waste.
“If this N3.6tn will guarantee constant electricity and lower tariffs, Nigerians may endure it. But asking citizens to fund failure is unacceptable,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to focus on fixing generation, transmission, and distribution bottlenecks rather than transferring the cost of inefficiency to Nigerians.
As debates intensify over the proposed FAAC deduction, Aborisade’s intervention has positioned electricity reform as a major political flashpoint ahead of the 2027 general elections.