Protesters on Tuesday, stormed the National Assembly, urging the Senate to expedite the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat.
The protesters, made up of Ramat’s supporters, civil society organizations, and human rights activists, paraded around the parliamentary complex, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with various inscriptions such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in the Power Sector.”
Their protest came in response to last month’s Senate decision to halt Ramat’s confirmation, even after he had been successfully screened by the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Addressing journalists, the 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 recent protest follows just four days after the Senate warned of legal action against former presidential aide Alwan Hassan, who claimed that lawmakers received a $10 million bribe to prevent 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.