Tension rose at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday as protesters demanded the immediate confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat.
The demonstrators, made up of Ramat’s supporters, civil society groups, and human rights activists, gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly, carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for the Senate to finalize the confirmation process. They accused some lawmakers of delaying Ramat’s appointment for personal and political reasons.
The protest came weeks after the Senate stepped down Ramat’s confirmation despite his clearance by the Senate Committee on Power, headed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. The demonstrators submitted petitions to both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that certain vested interests were working behind the scenes to block Ramat’s approval.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, the group’s leader, Ahmed Suleiman, said they believed Ramat met all professional and academic requirements for the position and should not be denied the opportunity to serve. He accused political actors of using false allegations to stall the process and urged the Senate to act in the best interest of the nation.
The renewed protest followed recent controversy surrounding bribery allegations against some senators. A former presidential aide, Alwan Hassan, had claimed lawmakers received a $10 million bribe to halt Ramat’s confirmation. The Senate, through its spokesperson