Planned protest over erratic power supply in Anambra suspended over security concerns

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By Vincent Ujumadu

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The planned protest against poor electricity supply in Anambra State has been suspended following alleged security concerns.

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The protest, scheduled for Saturday and organized by the Electricity Consumers Rights Network, was aimed at drawing attention to the growing frustration among residents over erratic power supply despite the introduction of Band A tariffs.

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Addressing journalists in Awka on Friday, the convener of the group, Comrade Osita Obi, clarified that the protest had only been suspended and not cancelled.

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Obi explained that the decision followed concerns raised by security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Anambra State Government, ahead of the second-term inauguration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo on March 17.

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According to him, the agencies warned that the protest could be hijacked by hoodlums. He also disclosed that he received more than 157 threatening calls urging him to call off the demonstration.

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Dismissing allegations that he had been compromised, Obi said the decision was taken in the interest of peace and stability in the state.

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“Having listened to these people, we decided to suspend the protest, but not cancel it,” he said.

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He noted that he did not want to take any action that could negatively affect the state and urged electricity consumers to instead attend a town hall meeting scheduled for March 18 by FirstPower, a state government-supported initiative.

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According to Obi, the meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to raise questions and seek clarifications about the electricity situation in the state.

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He, however, lamented the poor quality of electricity supply in Anambra, stressing that power supply has become increasingly inconsistent and unreliable for residents.

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