Pressure on Power Minister to resign over N’East blackout

Pressure has continued to mount on the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to resign his appointment following the prolonged power outage that has crippled business activities in the North-East geo-political zone.

The latest of such voices is a legal luminary, Bilyaminu Maihanchi, from Taraba State.

In an open letter made available to The Guardian, yesterday, Maihanchi demanded the minister’s immediate resignation.

The blackout, which affected many North-East states, including Taraba, for the past three weeks, came from the alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure owned by Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC).

Maihanchi, in the letter, cited the dire consequences of the power crisis on the region’s economy, healthcare, education and overall quality of life.

He stated: “The people of the North-East have suffered far too long without access to reliable electricity, which is hindering economic development, healthcare, education and overall well-being of the residents.”

Urging accountability and leadership change in the power sector, the lawyer argued that the minister’s resignation could signal a commitment to accountability and pave the way for more effective leadership to address the longstanding issues facing the North-East.

Taraba State government, through the Commissioner for Energy and Economic Development, Naomi Agbu, recently accused the Federal Government of neglecting the region’s blackout crisis.

Though the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) promised to restore power to the region by May 27, 2024, residents, who spoke with The Guardian, underscored the need for an urgent solution to the power crisis in the North-East, as stakeholders demand accountability and decisive action to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.