By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Another massive protest has again erupted along road leading to the National Assembly in Abuja today as hundreds of demonstrators carrying placards demanded for the immediate confirmation of Engr. Ramat Abdullahi as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission,NERC.
The protesters, under the auspices of the Grassroots Initiative Concerpt called on the Senate leadership to urgently resist all political interference and proceed with Abdullahi’s confirmation without delay.
Aljazirah Nigeria can authoritatively confirm that protesters have arrived road leading to National Assembly early in the morning with many different commercial buses even as several placards were displayed with inscriptions such as “Confirm Ramat Abdullahi Now!”, “No to Political Witch-Hunt in NERC,” and “Kano Youths Stand for Merit, Not Politics.” among others.
The group also chanted different solidarity songs while calling on the Senate leadership to uphold fairness and meritocracy in the appointment of NERC boss.
As at the time of the protest, Aljazirah Nigeria saw different Security operatives standing at close range and were possibly deployed to the roads leading to National Assembly in order to prevent protesters from disrupting legislative activities by blocking main Gate leading to the legislative building.
Although the protest remained largely peaceful during the time of filing in this reports as some security personnel were observed from close range.
In a petition addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio which was delivered during the protest, the group had expressed dismay over what they described as “deliberate attempts by vested interests to frustrate”Engr Abdullahi’s confirmation.
The petition which was signed by the group’s spokesperson, Ahmed I. Suleiman, further informed that the nominee had already been screened and recommended for confirmation by the Senate Committee on Power alleging that the final confirmation was being delayed because of politics by the senate leadership.
The protesters equally alleged that Abdullahi’s confirmation was originally listed on the Senate Order Paper for October 22, 2025 but was stalled due to pressure from certain political actors advancing “false narratives and baseless petitions.”
In an interview with journalists, the Spokesman of the group claimed that the campaign against the nominee was politically motivated and delebrately designed to deny a competent and reform-minded professional the opportunity to serve Nigeria as well as rescue Nigerians from epileptic power supply.
Consequently, the spokesman of the group further used the opportunity of the protest to appeal on Senator Akpabio and his deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin to rise above partisan pressures and ensure that the committee’s report recommending Abdullahi’s confirmation is presented before the hallowed Chamber immediately.
He, however warned that further delays would be seen as an attempt to undermine the credibility of the Senate and the integrity of the appointment process.
The protesters also sent copies of their petition to President Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State as well as the Deputy Senate President, senator Barau Jibrin.
In the petition, Engr. Abdullahi is said to be a native of Kano State even as it claimed to be widely respected for his integrity, technical expertise as well as commitment to national development.
The Grassroot Initiative Concept further used the opportunity of the protest to highlight sveral selfless and decade long experience of the nominees in both the public service and private sector engagements within and outside Nigeria.
The group said the nominees had also played an advisory roles in the Kano State government noting that his credentials in private and public sector participation have made him to be eminently qualified to lead NERC at a time when Nigeria’s power sector urgently needs urgent reform and stability.
The protesters also reminded the Senate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Abdullahi in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing the importance of empowering young, capable Nigerians to drive institutional transformation.
They equally appealed to the Senate not to allow political blackmailers to weaponize its processes against the President’s reform goals, particularly in the critical power sector.
They equally urged all stakeholders in power sector to “stand on the side of justice, merit, and national interest,” insisting that confirming Engr Abdullahi would not only strengthen NERC but will also reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to good governance and institutional integrity through power stability and massive distribution across Nigeria and beyond.
