In a compelling address at the Senate, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole highlighted systemic failures within Nigeria’s power sector, delivering a blunt critique of the practices of electricity distribution companies (DisCos). Oshiomhole exposed a troubling contradiction in which Nigerians finance the procurement and installation of transformers, only for these assets to be claimed as DisCo property. He questioned how these companies could justify high operational costs when consumers shoulder much of the infrastructure burden.
Oshiomhole also raised concerns over the federal government’s lack of representation in the governance of DisCos, despite being a co-owner. This absence, he argued, reflects a broader dysfunctionality that undermines accountability in the sector.
Beyond the power sector, Oshiomhole turned his focus to governance at the local and state levels. He criticized Nigerians for directing anger solely at the presidency while overlooking the inefficiencies of governors, local government chairmen, and legislative representatives. He pointed out that the billions allocated to local councils and states often yield little visible development.
“If just 70 percent of local government chairmen and governors worked effectively, Nigeria would rival many Western nations in development,” Oshiomhole stated, urging citizens to demand accountability at every level of government.
This powerful presentation serves as a reminder that sustainable development requires the active involvement of all stakeholders—citizens, local leaders, and institutions. As Oshiomhole emphasized, redirecting public frustration towards those directly responsible for daily governance failures is the first step toward breaking the cycle of underdevelopment.
The path forward is clear: Nigerians must hold every level of leadership accountable to achieve the progress they deserve.
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