Fresh controversy erupted on Tuesday over the stalled confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat, as scores of protesters gathered at the National Assembly demanding swift action from the Senate.
The demonstrators, consisting of Ramat’s supporters, civil society organizations, and rights activists, marched around the parliamentary complex while chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in Power Sector.”
The protest follows last month’s Senate decision to step down Ramat’s confirmation despite his successful screening by the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Ahmed Suleiman, leader of the protesters and spokesperson of the Grassroots Initiative Concept, told journalists that petitions had been formally sent to both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He insisted that “certain vested interests” were working to derail a credible appointment.
“We write as proud indigenes of Kano State, just like the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibril, to express our firm commitment to the peace, progress, and good governance of our great nation.
“It is in this regard that we respectfully bring to your attention a matter of significant concern: the yet-to-be-concluded confirmation of our son, Engr. Abdullahi Ramat, as NERC Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,” Suleiman said.
He added that Ramat “possesses the requisite academic and professional qualifications, as well as valuable experience,” and described it as “surprising and deeply unsettling” that his confirmation was stepped down on the Senate Order Paper on October 22 despite being recommended by the screening panel.
“We have since been informed that certain vested interests have mounted pressure to block his confirmation by advancing false narratives and politically-motivated petitions,” Suleiman alleged, warning that “a dangerous precedent is being set; one where Nigeria’s most capable hands are subjected to the vindictive whims of politics.”
The protesters urged the Senate leadership “not to yield to the machinations of those who do not wish Nigeria well,” calling for Ramat’s confirmation “in the national interest, the unity of Nigeria, and the success of the Tinubu administration.”
The renewed agitation comes four days after the Senate threatened legal action against former Presidential aide Alwan Hassan, who claimed that lawmakers collected a $10 million bribe to block Ramat’s confirmation.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” explaining that the nominee’s confirmation was delayed due to “public and private complaints” about his suitability.
“The attention of the Senate has been drawn to the uncoordinated cacophony of one innocuous Alwan Hassan, who is a hand-tool to one Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat.
“Many nominees have been stepped down due to such public outcry. The case of Mr Ramat is not an exception,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate has vowed to compel Hassan to provide evidence in court and stressed that it would not be pressured into confirming any nominee “under a cloud of public concern.”
Ramat’s nomination remains on hold, amid growing national frustration over electricity tariffs and inadequate power supply across the country.
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