Protesters stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday calling on the Senate to resolve the stalled confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Abdullahi Ramat.
The protesters comprising Ramat’s supporters, civil society organisations, and rights activists—marched around the parliamentary complex, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in the Power Sector.”
Their demonstration followed last month’s decision by the Senate to suspend Ramat’s confirmation despite his successful screening by the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Addressing journalists, leader of the protest and spokesperson for the Grassroots Initiative Concept, Ahmed Suleiman, said they had petitioned both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that “certain vested interests” were attempting to block the appointment for political reasons.
“We write as proud indigenes of Kano State, just like the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, to reaffirm our commitment to peace and good governance,” Suleiman stated.
“It is surprising and deeply unsettling that Engr. Ramat’s confirmation was stepped down despite his qualifications and the positive recommendation of the screening committee.
We have since learned that some vested interests are pushing false narratives to discredit him,” he alleged.
The group warned that allowing political interference to override merit would set a “dangerous precedent” where capable Nigerians are denied key national positions due to personal grudges and power struggles.
They urged the Senate leadership not to “yield to blackmail or manipulation,” insisting that confirming Ramat would serve the national interest and support the Tinubu administration’s reforms in the power sector.
The latest agitation comes barely 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 allegations as “baseless and reckless,” saying the nominee’s confirmation was stepped down following “public and private complaints” regarding his suitability.
“Many nominees have been stepped down due to public outcry. Mr Ramat’s case is not an exception,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate has vowed to compel Hassan to substantiate his allegations in court, insisting it would not confirm any nominee “under a cloud of public concern.”
Ramat’s nomination remains on hold pending further legislative review, as Nigerians continue to express frustration over high electricity tariffs and persistent poor power supply across the country.
