A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe, has voiced strong concern over the rising cost of electricity in Nigeria, particularly under the recently introduced Band A tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the former aide to the Lagos State Government appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently reconsider the policy, warning that the high tariffs are pushing many urban residents into what he described as “energy poverty.”
Sharing his personal experience as a Band A customer, Igbokwe disclosed that the new pricing has forced many households to drastically reduce their electricity consumption in order to manage bills.
“I pray that PBAT will revisit the Electricity Band A matter,” he wrote.
“I do not think Distribution Companies are making the money they expected because we are switching off ACs, fridges, and lights. Take all to Band B, make more money.”
The NERC had in April 2024 implemented a sharp increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers, raising rates by over 300 per cent. The adjustment, which took effect on April 1, pushed the cost from ₦68 to ₦225 per kilowatt-hour, drawing widespread criticism from consumers nationwide.
Despite assurances of improved power supply for Band A areas, many Nigerians argue that service delivery remains poor, making the new charges unjustifiable. Since the revision, various stakeholders and citizens have continued to call on the federal government to either suspend or reverse the tariff hike, citing its harsh economic impact on ordinary households.
Igbokwe’s public criticism is notable, given his affiliation with the ruling party. His remarks highlight growing dissatisfaction with the electricity pricing regime, even among APC loyalists.
He proposed that electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and the federal government consider moving consumers from Band A to Band B as a strategy to encourage higher usage and potentially boost revenue.
As of the time of this report, neither the presidency nor NERC has issued a response to Igbokwe’s remarks.
