APC Campaign Council Defends Tinubu’s Power‑Sector Record Amid Calls for Scorecard

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council has responded to criticism over President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 pledge to eliminate estimated electricity billing. In a statement released on Sunday, spokesperson Dele Alake argued that public commentaries have omitted the conditional element of the promise – that Tinubu would provide “adequate reasons” if the pledge could not be met before he sought re‑election.

Alake said a fair assessment must consider the full promise and the administration’s performance since Tinubu took office in May 2023. He acknowledged that the electricity crisis remains unresolved but pointed to several initiatives as evidence of progress, including the Electricity Act 2023, the Presidential Metering Initiative and a ₦4 trillion bond programme to settle legacy debts.

Background

During a meeting with organised private‑sector leaders in Lagos ahead of the 2023 general election, Tinubu promised to end the practice of estimated billing, describing it as a burden on households and businesses. He warned voters that they should not re‑elect him if he failed to keep the promise without providing a satisfactory explanation.

Within two weeks of assuming the presidency, Tinubu signed the Electricity Act on 9 June 2023. The legislation is intended to liberalise the electricity market by allowing state governments to set up their own regulatory frameworks for generation, transmission and distribution, rather than leaving the sector solely under federal control. According to Alake, states such as Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Kaduna and Niger have already established electricity regulatory agencies and attracted private investment under the new law.

The current leadership took over a backlog of obligations exceeding ₦6 trillion that had accumulated over the decade from 2015 to 2025. To address these financial challenges, the government launched the Presidential Metering Initiative, aimed at closing an estimated metering gap of over seven million customers. Alake reported that more than 1.5 million customers have been metered under the programme in the last three years.

Furthermore, the Tinubu regime launched a ₦4 trillion bond initiative aimed at clearing confirmed liabilities owed to 21 power producers and gas firms. The bond is presented as a step toward stabilising the sector’s finances and encouraging further investment.

Why it matters

The electricity sector is central to Nigeria’s economic development, with estimated billing affecting both residential consumers and commercial users. By pledging to eliminate the practice, Tinubu linked the issue directly to voter sentiment ahead of the 2023 election. The APC’s defence of the record seeks to reassure supporters that the administration is delivering on its promise, despite the ongoing challenges.

Stakeholders such as private investors, state regulators and households stand to benefit from the reforms. The Electricity Act’s decentralisation could enable more tailored regulatory environments, potentially attracting additional private capital. The metering initiative, by reducing the reliance on estimates, aims to improve billing accuracy and revenue collection for distribution companies.

Conversely, the legacy debt burden remains a significant obstacle. The ₦4 trillion bond programme is intended to clear debts owed to GenCos and GasCos, which, if successful, could improve the financial health of power producers and reduce supply disruptions.

What happens next

Alake indicated that a formal “scorecard” evaluating the administration’s performance on the electricity pledge is forthcoming, though no specific release date was provided. The upcoming assessment is expected to address both the progress made under the Electricity Act and the remaining gaps in metering and debt settlement. Stakeholders and the public will likely scrutinise the scorecard to gauge whether the conditional element of Tinubu’s promise has been met or whether further explanations will be required before the next electoral cycle.