Dare Babalola
Scores of protesters converged on the National Assembly on Tuesday, demanding the Senate’s swift confirmation of Abdullahi Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), a position he was nominated for by President Bola Tinubu.
Ramat’s supporters, civil society groups, and rights activists joined forces to stage a protest around the National Assembly complex, singing solidarity songs and carrying placards with messages like “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in Power Sector.”
Their action was in response to the Senate’s move last month to step down Ramat’s confirmation, following his clearance by the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Abaribe.
According to Ahmed Suleiman, leader of the protesters and spokesperson for the Grassroots Initiative Concept, the group had written to both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, expressing concern that “certain vested interests” were working against Ramat’s confirmation.
“We write as proud indigenes of Kano State, just like the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibril, to express our firm commitment to the peace, progress, and good governance of our great nation.
“It is in this regard that we respectfully bring to your attention a matter of significant concern: the yet-to-be-concluded confirmation of our son, Engr. Abdullahi Ramat, as NERC Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,” Suleiman said.
He argued that Ramat “possesses the requisite academic and professional qualifications, as well as valuable experience,” adding that it was “surprising and deeply unsettling” that his name was stepped down on the Senate Order Paper on October 22 despite being recommended by the screening panel.
“We have since been informed that certain vested interests have mounted pressure to block his confirmation by advancing false narratives and politically-motivated petitions,” he alleged, warning that “a dangerous precedent is being set; one where Nigeria’s most capable hands are subjected to the vindictive whims of politics.”
The protesters appealed to the Senate leadership “not to yield to the machinations of those who do not wish Nigeria well,” urging that Ramat be confirmed “in the national interest, the unity of Nigeria, and the success of the Tinubu administration.”
The renewed agitation comes four days after the Senate threatened legal action against former Presidential aide Alwan Hassan for alleging that lawmakers collected a $10 million bribe to block Ramat’s confirmation.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the bribery claims as “baseless,” saying the nominee’s confirmation was stepped down due to “public and private complaints” over his suitability.
“The attention of the Senate has been drawn to the uncoordinated cacophony of one innocuous Alwan Hassan, who is a hand-tool to one Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat.
“Many nominees have been stepped down due to such public outcry. The case of Mr Ramat is not an exception,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate has vowed to compel Hassan to provide evidence in court, maintaining that it would not be pressured into confirming any nominee “under a cloud of public concern.”
Ramat’s nomination remains suspended pending further legislative and public review, amid heightened national frustration over electricity tariffs and poor power supply across the country.
