Protesters storm National Assembly, demand Ramat’s confirmation as NERC chair

Protesters on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly complex in Abuja, demanding the Senate to confirm President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Abdullahi Ramat.

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

Their protest followed 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 with journalists, leader of the protest and spokesperson of the Grassroots Initiative Concept, Ahmed Suleiman, said petitions had been sent to both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing “vested political interests” of attempting to frustrate the appointment.

“As proud indigenes of Kano State, we are shocked that Engr. Ramat’s confirmation was stepped down despite his proven competence and the committee’s positive recommendation,” Suleiman said.

“We have discovered that some interests are spreading false narratives to discredit him.”

The group cautioned that allowing political interference to override merit would set a dangerous precedent where qualified Nigerians are denied national appointments due to personal grudges.

They urged the Senate leadership not to succumb to pressure or manipulation, insisting that confirming Ramat would strengthen the Tinubu administration’s power sector reforms.

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

Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, described the bribery claims as “baseless and reckless,” explaining that Ramat’s confirmation was suspended due to “public and private complaints” about his suitability.

“Several nominees have been stepped down following public concerns; Mr. Ramat’s case is not an exception,” Adaramodu said.

The Senate has vowed to compel Hassan to prove his allegations in court and maintained that no nominee will be confirmed “under a cloud of public controversy.”

Ramat’s nomination remains pending as Nigerians continue to express anger over rising electricity tariffs and persistent poor power supply across the country.