Former Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed his support for the recent electricity tariff hike, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s policies.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had approved a move targeting Band A customers, primarily from affluent urban areas.
Speaking on Sunday,Obi emphasized the need to tackle the country’s electricity issues by raising tariffs for wealthier consumers in areas capable of bearing the additional cost.
While acknowledging the disparity in economic circumstances across the nation, Obi underscored the importance of balancing tariff adjustments with considerations for the majority of Nigerians facing financial hardships. “We must do a lot in power generation because it has taken so long. But we have to take into consideration that the majority of Nigerians are suffering,” he remarked.
Despite his endorsement of targeted tariff increases, Obi remained mindful of the need to support economically vulnerable communities.
- “So we need to support people in those areas to be able to live and be able to produce something,” he elaborated, emphasizing the potential of such initiatives to uplift individuals out of poverty by fostering productive endeavors.
Furthermore, Obi’s advocacy for transitioning from consumption-driven economies to production-oriented societies aligns with broader economic development goals, suggesting that empowering individuals to generate value could serve as a catalyst for poverty alleviation and sustainable growth.