After APC’s 11 Years In Power, Why Is Tinubu Just Discovering Abandoned Power Equipment In This Campaign Period? ADC’s Hon. Owokoniran
African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, has challenged President Bola Tinubu and the APC-led Federal Government to take responsibility for the failure of the electricity sector after their 11 years in power, instead of presenting Nigeria’s power crisis as a problem created solely by previous administrations.
Reacting to the President’s directive to clear over 300 containers of electricity equipment reportedly abandoned at Nigerian ports, Owokoniran submitted: “What has the APC been doing with the power sector for over 11 years?
“Since May 2015, the APC has controlled the Federal Government. Yet Nigerians are only now being told about critical electricity equipment that has reportedly remained at the ports for years. Why did successive APC administrations fail to resolve this problem?
“More importantly, in 2018, former Minister of Power Babatunde Fashola announced that 690 out of 800 inherited containers had been recovered. A subsequent TCN report stated that 775 had been cleared by October 2019.
“So, what happened to those containers? Where is the equipment recovered under the Buhari administration? Are the newly-announced 300-plus containers a separate batch, or is the government recycling an old problem without explaining what happened to the previous recovery exercise?”
Owokoniran also recalled how the APC repeatedly demanded accountability from the Obasanjo and Atiku administrations over billions of dollars reportedly spent on electricity projects.
He argued that a party that once made accountability a political weapon could not now avoid scrutiny over its own record.
The ADC chieftain challenged the Tinubu administration to publish the exact importation dates, port arrival records, purchase values, contractors, outstanding charges and intended project locations of the equipment.
He said: “Nigerians must also be told which items were recovered, which were deployed and which were abandoned during the APC’s years in government.
“After more than 11 years in power, the party cannot continue presenting inherited problems as though it has had no opportunity or responsibility to address them.
“Clearing the containers is welcome, but Nigerians need more than another presidential directives. They need a transparent audit, recovered public investment, completed projects and measurable improvements in electricity supply.
“You cannot demand accountability from others for yesterday’s failures while refusing to account for your own failures after 11 years in power.
“Nigeria is tired of excuses and political blame games. The country deserves answers, responsibility and reliable electricity.”
