Step in to address Nigeria's deepening electricity shortage, former legislator appeals to Tinubu

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a former representative of Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2019, is urging President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the power sector crises in Nigeria, which has resulted in unreliable electricity for households and industries.

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According to Oyintiloye, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, the electricity supply situation has been deteriorating despite the Federal Government's investment in the sector, and he expressed this concern in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo on Sunday.

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Oyintiloye emphasized that the inadequate electricity supply has had a negative impact on small-scale businesses, large industrial operators, and households that rely on power for domestic use, and he called on the President to intervene and save Nigerians from further hardship.

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The lack of electricity for domestic purposes has exacerbated the effects of the ongoing heatwave, making life unbearable for many Nigerians, and Oyintiloye warned that this situation requires urgent attention.

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Oyintiloye suggested the establishment of a panel to investigate the causes of recurring national grid collapses and persistent poor power supply despite government investment, highlighting the need to understand the root causes of the problem.

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He described the situation as "terrible" across Nigeria, with many small-scale businesses and large industrial players affected, and most homes unable to access even three hours of electricity supply daily for domestic use.

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Despite numerous reforms and promises, the national grid continues to collapse, and Oyintiloye noted that the situation is now compounded by gas supply shortages, weak transmission infrastructure, and chronic underinvestment across the power value chain.

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Oyintiloye stated that Nigerians are suffering and that urgent action must be taken by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and his team to address the situation, which cannot continue as it is.

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The poor electricity supply has triggered a series of peaceful protests across the country, and Oyintiloye cautioned that the unrest could escalate if not addressed promptly, emphasizing the need for swift action.

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Oyintiloye appealed to the President to intervene before the protests turn violent, noting that electricity is essential for households and the survival of businesses, and that the current situation is unsustainable.

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Since the end of last year, there has been no stable power supply across the country, despite assurances by those in charge and huge investments in the sector, and Oyintiloye emphasized that poor power supply should not be added to the challenges Nigerians are currently facing.

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The high cost of fuel has also made it difficult for those relying on generators to cope, and Oyintiloye commended President Tinubu for initiating various reforms across sectors of the economy while emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the power sector's underperformance.

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Some communities within the Osogbo metropolis recently staged peaceful protests demanding improved power supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, which attributed the electricity crises to inadequate gas supply that has limited the ability of generation companies to produce sufficient electricity for distribution.