The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of electricity in the country, citing his campaign promise to provide stable power supply to Nigerians within four years.

In a statement shared on social media Sunday morning, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, reminded the president of his vow to deliver uninterrupted power supply, referencing an old campaign video where Tinubu pledged to end estimated billing and ensure 24/7 electricity across the country.

Abdullahi wrote, “Good morning, Nigerians. Today, we just want to take some time to remind President Tinubu that he promised Nigerians uninterrupted electricity within four years. Yes, that’s right, Mr. President promised us 24/7 power. All by himself.”

READ ALSO:Why I Support ADC’s Coalition But Remain In PDP — Lamido

Abdullahi went on to list the administration’s alleged shortcomings in the power sector, noting that since Tinubu assumed office, electricity tariffs have surged by 240%, while the national grid has collapsed 12 times.

“Over 90 million Nigerians still lack electricity, while many get just 4 to 6 hours a day under Tinubu’s failed Band A–E system. In rural communities, most of Nigeria’s 50 million families remain completely off the grid, with no access to electricity at all,” he added.

He accused the government of showing “no major power sector reforms, no clear roadmap, and no sense of urgency” more than two years into its tenure.

“We are past the halfway mark of this administration, and millions of Nigerians are still charging their phones at mobile charging kiosks, and spending hundreds of thousands to fuel their generators.

READ ALSO:ADC Unveiled In Benue, Woo Gov Alia

“Where is the light? What happened to your promise? And how much longer do Nigerians have to wait in the dark?”

He then cited Tinubu’s campaign words, stating: “Mr. President, you once said: ‘If I don’t give you electricity, don’t vote for me.’ Well, Nigerians are listening. And come 2027, we intend to grant your wish.”

The campaign video shared by Abdullahi featured Tinubu saying: “Whichever way by all means necessary you must have electricity. And you will not pay the estimated bill anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep my promise and I come back for a second time, don’t vote for me.”

Nigeria’s main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that the recent resignation of former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, from the party did not come as a surprise.

The declaration was made by the Acting Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, while speaking with journalists in Bauchi in reaction to the development.

According to him, “Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the party is a familiar pattern. This is not the first time. We’re expecting him back.”

Iliya Damagum was implying that Atiku Abubakar’s decision to once again dump the PDP is consistent with his past actions.

READ ALSO:Why I Resigned From PDP – Atiku

The PDP Acting Chairman noted that the party has grown accustomed to Atiku Abubakar’s movements in and out of the party over the years, and is therefore not bothered about the latest development.

This response by the Acting Chairman indicated that the PDP is not overly concerned about Atiku Abubakar’s resignation, viewing it as a recurring event in their relationship.

According to the PDP Acting Chairman, the party seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach, expecting Atiku Abubakar to potentially return in the future.

This lack of alarm, in Damagum’s view, could be due to the PDP’s confidence in its own strength or a belief that Atiku Abubakar’s actions are not a significant threat.

As the PDP Acting Chairman’s stance suggests, Atiku Abubakar’s history of party loyalty has been questioned in the past.

READ ALSO:Why I Support ADC’s Coalition But Remain In PDP — Lamido

Some have speculated that Atiku Abubakar views party affiliations as fluid, as his decision to resign from the PDP and form a coalition party, the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC), may be part of a larger strategy to position himself for future elections.

However, according to the PDP Acting Chairman, the PDP’s nonchalant response could also suggest that they are not convinced of the seriousness of Atiku Abubakar’s intentions for the 2027 general elections.

Though the PDP leadership is yet to issue a formal statement, insiders say consultations are ongoing to manage the fallout from Atiku Abubakar’s exit, which has stirred intense reactions across the political landscape.

Recall that in a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward, Adamawa State, Atiku cited a loss of internal democracy and the need to explore new political frontiers as key reasons for his decision.

Former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, yesterday, explained why he and other members of the G5 Governors’ Forum opposed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 elections.

But in a push back, the former Vice President, described them as frustrated opportunists, who are searching for relevance.

Also, the PDP similarly, accused Ortom of acting out of personal interest rather than genuine concern for fairness and equity in the 2023 elections.

This came as a former Presidential aspirant, Mr Dele Momodu formally resigned from the PDP, citing what he described as the hijacking of the party by antidemocratic forces.

Ortom, a leading member of the G5 group of PDP governors, said the party’s failure to respect equity, fairness, and justice was the reason they chose to stand against it.

Speaking on Arise TV, yesterday, Ortom said the G5 had insisted that the presidency should shift to the South after eight years of Northern rule under President Muhammadu Buhari, but the PDP’s decision to field Atiku, also a Northerner, went against that principle.

“I acted as I did because we had expected the PDP to uphold equity, fairness, and justice, values I hold dear.

“When the majority of PDP members supported a Northern candidate, we deemed it unjust. We’ve always stood for equity, fairness, and justice, and we felt the presidency should alternate between the North and South for eight years each,” he said.

READ ALSO:Atiku Formally Resigns From PDP

As chairman of the PDP’s zoning committee, Ortom noted that although the committee recommended an open contest, he personally pushed for a Southern candidate.

He stressed that the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, had the final say, which led to Atiku’s candidacy.

“I presented the committee’s report as it was, and the NEC made the final call. I couldn’t override the collective decision,” Ortom explained.

On the role of Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in the crisis, Ortom revealed, “We fought for Wike to be the PDP’s presidential candidate, but unfortunately, he didn’t secure the nomination. We also believed he should have been the running mate. I was part of the 20-member committee tasked with selecting a running mate, and 16 of us supported Wike. However, the candidate and the party leadership decided otherwise.”

Ortom defended supporting opposition candidates in 2023, saying politics was based on interests. “Politics revolves around interests. There’s no permanent enemy or friend in politics. It’s about protecting the interests of your community, your people, and yourself,” he stated.

He also addressed criticism that he and Wike tried to “destroy” the PDP by supporting opposition candidates. Ortom compared their strategy to that of other PDP members who backed Peter Obi of the Labour Party or Bola Tinubu of the APC.

“Peter Obi wasn’t in the PDP, but we agreed on a strategic partnership to demonstrate our influence. Some of us supported Peter Obi, others supported Tinubu, and we ended up with the current government. If God has given us President Bola Tinubu, why shouldn’t we support him?” Ortom added.

Looking to the 2027 elections, Ortom reaffirmed his support for a Southern presidential candidate and stressed the importance of respecting power rotation.

READ ALSO: He’s Always Leaving, Wike’s Aide Mocks Atiku Over PDP Exit

“My position is clear. I will support a Southern candidate. I see no reason to support a Northern candidate in 2027. By 2031, if someone from the South expresses interest in the presidency, I will still advocate for it to shift to the North. That’s based on my belief in equity and fairness.”

Ortom on criticism over alleged bias in Benue State politics, where he is accused of favouring the Tiv ethnic group, said: “I’ve fought for fairness and have advised other ethnic groups on what they need to do. I agree it’s unfair for one group to dominate the governorship since the creation of Benue State. However, politics also involves the majority. The Tiv people occupy Zones A and B, while the Idoma and Igede are in Zone C. It’s a matter of political dynamics, and I’ve encouraged other groups to organise and assert themselves.”

On crisis in the PDP, he said: “As politicians, we understand that politics revolves around interests. There’s no permanent enemy or friend in politics. It’s about protecting the interests of your community, your people, and yourself.”

Ortom, others opportunists—Atiku

Reacting to Ortom’s claims, the former Vice President said there was nothing noble about the G5’s rebellion.
Atiku, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu said the Benue governor was trying to play the ostrich.

He said: “Let us be clear: there was nothing noble about the G5’s rebellion. It was not a stand for justice—it was a gamble rooted in personal ambition, ego, and frustration over political miscalculations. The PDP’s zoning committee, which Ortom himself chaired, recommended an open contest. That decision—adopted by NEC—was not imposed by Atiku Abubakar or any Northern bloc. It was a democratic resolution, endorsed by the party’s highest decision-making body. To now feign surprise or outrage over a process one midwifed is to play the ostrich.

“Furthermore, the notion that Atiku Abubakar was the continuation of ‘northern rule’ ignores the critical reality that Atiku is, first and foremost, a democrat—a bridge between regions, religions, and ideologies. His ambition has never been based on geography.

“As for Ortom’s newfound allegiance to a ‘Southern Presidency,’ the question must be asked: which South? In one breath, he endorsed Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and in the next, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Nyesom Wike, who threw his weight behind Bola Tinubu of the APC. This ideological hopscotch betrays not a devotion to justice, but an opportunistic drift in search of relevance.”

Their motives were self-serving— PDP

Similarly, the PDP tackled Ortom, accusing him and his group of acting out of personal interest rather than genuine concern for fairness and equity in the 2023 elections.

READ ALSO:Atiku Formally Resigns From PDP

A member of PDP National Working Committee, NWC, who spoke to Vanguard in confidence, questioned Ortom’s motives and role in forming the G5 group, suggesting his opposition may have been more political than principled.

The party leader noted that Ortom and the then PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, are from the same local government area and ethnic group.

The NWC member said: “If Ortom is talking about fairness, he should remember that both he and Ayu come from the same place. He was the one who recommended Ayu for the chairmanship. There was no disagreement until Atiku emerged as the party’s candidate.

“Now that the PDP is planning to zone the presidential ticket to the South in 2027, will Ortom support the party? Will he go back on his endorsement of Tinubu and work for the PDP?

“Politics is about teamwork. One person’s opinion should not override the decisions of the majority. If you want to play solo, then start your party.”

The PDP urged Ortom and others to put aside personal ambitions and support the party’s rebuilding efforts ahead of the next general elections.
(VANGUARD)