A coalition of civil society organizations has issued a stern 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Senate, demanding the immediate confirmation of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Political Sabotage Allegations
The coalition, speaking through Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince of the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), has accused Senate leadership of deliberately obstructing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's power sector reforms. The group described the delay as politically motivated and unjustifiable, claiming it undermines the President's Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the coalition, the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had already completed the vetting process and presented Engr. Ramat alongside two other commissioner nominees for confirmation on October 22, 2025. The other nominees include Abubakar Yusuf for Commissioner of Consumer Affairs and Fouad Olayinka Animashaun for Commissioner of Finance and Administration.
No Justification for Delay
Comrade Danesi emphasized that the Senate has provided no official explanation for the continued hold-up in the confirmation process. "It is not about merit or competence. From all credible indications, this delay is linked to personal political machinations," he stated during the coalition's press conference.
The coalition specifically singled out Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, accusing them of prioritizing personal political bargaining over national development. They characterized the situation as political sabotage against a sector that has historically hindered Nigeria's economic growth.
Ramat's Qualifications and Threat of Protest
The coalition vigorously defended Engr. Ramat's credentials, highlighting his extensive background in electrical engineering, telecommunications, and strategic management. His professional experience includes serving as the pioneer Managing Director of the Kano Metropolitan Agency (KASMA), being a COREN Fellow, and having Harvard University alumni status.
The coalition warned that failure to confirm Ramat within 48 hours would result in nationwide protests by unemployed youth at both the National Assembly and NERC offices across the country. "This is not an empty threat," Danesi declared. "Nigerians are tired of politics with everything. We are ready to expose the Senate's chicanery."
The group maintained that leadership of the critical electricity sector should not be subjected to what they described as petty power plays, especially given the sector's importance to national economic recovery and development.
