JUST IN: Protests Rock National Assembly Over Stalled Confirmation of NERC Nominee

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

Fresh tension erupted in Abuja on Tuesday as protesters stormed the National Assembly, demanding the immediate confirmation of Abdullahi Ramat, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The demonstrators — made up of civil society groups, rights activists, and Ramat’s supporters — marched around the National Assembly complex, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to Be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in the Power Sector.”

Their action follows the Senate’s decision last month to suspend Ramat’s confirmation, despite his successful screening by the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

Speaking to journalists, the protest leader and spokesperson of the Grassroots Initiative Concept, Ahmed Suleiman, said petitions had already been sent to both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging them to intervene.

“We write as proud indigenes of Kano State, just like the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibril, to express our firm commitment to the peace and good governance of our great nation,” Suleiman said.

“It is surprising and deeply unsettling that Engr. Abdullahi Ramat’s confirmation was stepped down despite his strong academic and professional credentials. Certain vested interests are working to derail a credible appointment by spreading false narratives and politically motivated petitions,” he alleged.

Suleiman warned that the Senate’s hesitation could “set a dangerous precedent where Nigeria’s most capable hands are sacrificed to politics,” urging lawmakers to confirm Ramat “in the national interest and for the success of the Tinubu administration.”

The protest comes just days after the Senate threatened legal action against former presidential aide Alwan Hassan, who had alleged that senators collected a $10 million bribe to block Ramat’s confirmation.

Reacting to the claim, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu described the accusation as “baseless and reckless,” insisting that Ramat’s confirmation was stepped down due to “public and private complaints” over his suitability.

“Many nominees have been stepped down due to public outcry. The case of Mr Ramat is not an exception,” Adaramodu said.

“The Senate will not be pressured into confirming any nominee under a cloud of public concern.”

For now, Ramat’s nomination remains on hold, pending further legislative review — a development that comes amid public frustration over rising electricity tariffs and Nigeria’s persistent power challenges.