On this Democracy Day, I had intended to rest my pen. I wanted to leave the fate written on the walls of history to speak for itself. I thought perhaps the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy were enough testimony. Yet, in the final hour, a thought stirred within me, compelling me to write a message to all of us who have come together to form this sovereign nation called Nigeria. My message is particularly for those who believe that the business of Nigeria lies in the hands of a powerful few. Perhaps they are influenced by what the German sociologist Robert Michels described as the "Iron Law of Oligarchy" ,the tendency for power to concentrate in the hands of a small elite. Looking at our politics, our institutions, and our economy, one may be tempted to believe that the destiny of Nigeria is determined only by those who occupy powerful offices and influential positions. But history tells a different story. Nigeria does not belong to any president, governor, politi...
By Raphael Oni
The Chairman of the Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA), Comrade Abioye Tosin Lawrence, has criticized the tenure of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, stating that Nigeria’s electricity sector saw no meaningful improvement under his leadership and still requires what he described as “nothing short of a miracle” to recover.
Speaking on City Mirror TV’s programme, Issues that Matter, on Thursday, Abioye said Adelabu left office without delivering measurable results in a sector that remains central to Nigeria’s economic stability and daily life.
According to him, despite repeated assurances and policy pronouncements during Adelabu’s time in office, the lived reality for millions of Nigerians remained unchanged.
“Electricity is not a luxury; it is essential. When there is no light, everything suffers, businesses, security, and even basic living standards. Nigerians are still facing the same challenges,” he said.
Abioye argued that the former minister ought to have taken responsibility earlier, rather than remaining in office until pursuing his governorship ambition.
He noted that many Nigerians did not experience any significant improvement in power supply throughout Adelabu’s tenure, with recurring grid collapses and persistent outages becoming routine explanations rather than problems decisively addressed.
“Citizens were fed with explanations, grid collapse, system failure, but where are the lasting solutions? Accountability must go beyond words,” he added.
While holding Adelabu accountable, Abioye emphasized that the crisis in Nigeria’s power sector is deeply rooted and extends beyond any single administration or individual. He pointed to longstanding structural deficiencies in transmission, distribution, and infrastructure as critical barriers to progress.
“The problem is systemic. Until we address transmission bottlenecks, distribution inefficiencies, and outdated infrastructure, we may continue to recycle the same failures,” he said.
Calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the sector, Abioye stressed the need for practical, result-driven reforms rather than policy declarations.
“Pronouncement is different from practicality. Cost is the difference,” he noted.
In a tone that underscored the depth of the crisis, he added, “Even if a miracle worker is appointed to lead the Ministry of Power, the same issues may persist if the system itself is not fixed. Erratic power supply is beginning to look like a problem the government is unwilling to decisively solve.”
On Adelabu’s governorship ambition, Abioye said his performance at the federal level could significantly shape public perception of his leadership capacity.
“You can’t struggle in national responsibility and expect people to ignore that record when seeking state leadership. People will ask questions,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that performance at the federal level does not automatically determine success at the state level, noting that leadership outcomes can depend on context, team composition, and governance style.
Abioye concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and demand accountability from public office holders, stressing that the country’s electricity challenges should not be normalized.
“We must not accept darkness as policy. Nigerians deserve a system that works consistently, efficiently, and transparently,” he said.
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