Human rights lawyer Malcolm Omirhobo has criticized President Bola Tinubu, calling him a hypocrite for advising Nigerians to manage and control their electricity bills during a recent presidential media chat.
Omirhobo took to social media platform X to express his dissatisfaction, urging the president to focus on reducing the cost of governance before asking citizens to make sacrifices.
“It is hypocritical for Tinubu to advise Nigerians to learn to manage by learning to control their electricity bill by switching off their light when he has refused to learn how to cut down the cost of governance,” the lawyer wrote.
President Tinubu’s remarks came as part of a broader discussion during the media chat, where he suggested that Nigerians could reduce their electricity costs by turning off unused lights.
The comments sparked criticism, especially given the government’s policies since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. These include the removal of fuel subsidies and a significant hike in electricity tariffs.
On April 3, 2024, the electricity regulator increased tariffs for customers in the Band A classification, raising the rate from N66 per kilowatt-hour to N225 per kilowatt-hour.
The combination of higher energy costs and reduced subsidies has led to widespread frustration among Nigerians, who are grappling with rising living expenses.
Omirhobo argue that the government should address its own inefficiencies before imposing additional burdens on the populace.