Power outage, a conspiracy to cripple Northern economy – ACF

In a statement issued by ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the group urged the Federal Government to declare an emergency on the ongoing power outage and the disparity in electricity supply in the region.

“For over a week now, many northern states in Nigeria have been grappling with a persistent power outage, resulting in near-total paralysis of economic and social activities and growing frustration among residents,” the ACF stated.

The Forum expressed alarm over statements from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which suggest the issue could persist indefinitely due to technical and security challenges.

The ACF questioned why the northern region, a significant power generator for the country, receives the least electricity allocation. The forum noted the imbalance, pointing out that while Lagos alone has eight substations, the entire northern region, which houses over half of Nigeria’s population, has only three—in Jos, Kaduna, and Kano.

The forum warned that this situation poses a serious national security risk, and the silence from public officials on the matter reflects an unacceptable neglect of responsibility.

“To suggest that the issue is rooted in past actions or inactions is merely making excuses,” the group asserted. “Offering weak explanations, such as an inability to address the issue due to banditry along power supply lines, is equivalent to surrendering to criminals.”

The ACF also expressed disbelief that Nigeria’s extensive security agencies, despite substantial funding, are unable to eliminate bandit threats to the transmission lines.

The blackout has sparked widespread discussion and frustration, particularly among small and medium businesses that rely on electricity for operations, which have been heavily impacted.

“Households and workplaces are left without heating or cooling, and at night, are plunged into a dark, almost primitive state. ACF observes that the deafening silence from those responsible, despite evident public distress, suggests a troubling indifference,” the group said.

The ACF called on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to urgently declare an emergency on the issue to prevent a potential crisis.

“This threat to national security must be treated with the urgency it deserves. The allocation of power across the country needs immediate review, given that all consumers are paying customers. It is unacceptable that while the North supplies power, it is left in darkness.”

The forum also urged northern governors and National Assembly members representing northern constituencies to speak out more forcefully to demand action on this critical issue.