₦airaland Forum

malali:
Garba Ramat on Friday illegally assumed office as the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), despite lacking Senate confirmation and in defiance of a presidential directive to wait.

Sources within the commission told BusinessDay that Ramat arrived at the NERC headquarters accompanied by no fewer than 50 political backers and armed personnel and forcibly took over operations, dislodging existing Commissioners.

This illegal take over comes just one day after a statehouse press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, clearly stated that all nominations, including Ramat’s, were “subject to Senate confirmation” and that the current acting chairman would remain in position pending Senate approval.

The Nigerian Senate is currently in recess and not scheduled to reconvene until September 23, casting doubt over the legitimacy of Ramat’s self-imposed takeover.

Ramat, a former chairman of Ungogo local government area (LGA) in Kano state from 2021 to 2024, was nominated by President Bola Tinubu to replace the current NERC chairman. But according to insiders, his controversial attempt to bypass the constitutional process has set off alarm bells across Nigeria’s power sector.

“This is not just illegal—it’s dangerous,” said a senior executive in the sector, who requested anonymity. “We have billions invested in this sector. Such political recklessness erodes investor confidence. NERC is a regulator, not a battleground.”

According to legal experts, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Act provides clear procedures for the appointment and removal of commissioners and the chairman.

“A mere nomination does not equal appointment,” said one constitutional lawyer. “There is a tenure system at NERC, and any removal must follow due process. What happened today is a breach of that law.”

Experts in the sector are monitoring the unfolding dramatic takeover and labeling it as unconstitutional and advised that the proper process be followed.
Behind the scenes, political intrigue appears to be driving Ramat’s appointment which has stirred considerable concern among investors in the power sector who doubt the competence of the new appointees.

BusinessDay gathered that his actions are being backed by a powerful political figure that loiters around the Presidency and has the President’s ear, but with little
Knowledge of the industry. The figure is said to be instrumental in Ramat’s nomination and encouraging the power grab.

“He is throwing his weight around and trying to control regulatory appointments,” said a source familiar with the power struggle. “But this one may have gone too far.”

Stakeholders across the sector, including investors across the value chain, international investors, and consumer advocacy groups, have begun voicing concerns about what they describe as “a dangerous politicisation of the power regulatory framework.”

“It’s troubling,” said an executive in the sector. “This is not how a regulator should be run, and it sets a terrible precedent for governance and investment in Nigeria.”

As of press time, the Presidency had not issued a statement addressing the forceful takeover.

Source: https://businessday.ng/news/article/garba-ramat-ignores-presidential-directive-forcefully-assumes-office-as-nercs-chairman/

duduade:
These are the issues when illiteracy is everywhere

Sojizulu:
As of press time, the Presidency had not issued a statement addressing the forceful takeover.

Educationalserv:
he a political thug unfit and unqualified for for the position that why he want to resume without scrutiny .a Minimum of 20 years work experience in power generation distribution and Financing is required for the post .
Him na only 3 year old LGA chairman in a dead LGA in Kano
Their is no correlation

malali:
Why are people close to the president behaving like thugs ?

Buhari had friends accomplices no one stopped a plane with his hands ?

Yaradua had friends and accomplices, no one took over an office with 50 thugs upon being appointed ?

Jonathan Goodluck also had friends and accomplices, they did not carry ogogoro inside the plane ?

Obasanjo had friends and accomplices, they knew very well to behave, if not Obasanjo will be the first person to have them arrested and disciplined ?

But Tinubu is just allowing everyone to do as they like.....No one is being held accountable, unless you are a political opponent. This is not right, he swore and oath to protect all Nigierans lives and properties. Everyday he breaks this Oath.

#ArrestKWAM1

SocialJustice:
Tinubu opened his eyes and made a man with video evidence threatening to kill people during election to head NERC, such a sensitive office controlling power.

Ofunaofu:
The kind of anyhowness going on under Tinubu is actually insane. Nigeria has never seen this level of disorder passed off as governance

Sojizulu:
As of press time, the Presidency had not issued a statement addressing the forceful takeover.

Adblg0610:
It’s not a forceful takeover, part of the statement announced by Bayo Onanuga stated as follows: “To prevent a leadership vacuum at the commission, the President directed Ramat to assume office in an acting capacity pending Senate screening, in line with legal provisions.“ Garba Ramat has acted in full compliance with the instructions contained in the statement of appointment, in order to prevent a vacuum.

malali:
Everybody know he doesn't have any know how on the position.
Tinubu just appoints to stakeholders regardless of their merits.
The fact that he went there with 50 thugs tells you, the kind of person that was appointed.
Most likely a plane stopper too

Adblg0610:
It’s not a forceful takeover, part of the statement announced by Bayo Onanuga stated as follows: “To prevent a leadership vacuum at the commission, the President directed Ramat to assume office in an acting capacity pending Senate screening, in line with legal provisions.“ Garba Ramat has acted in full compliance with the instructions contained in the statement of appointment, in order to prevent a vacuum.

asolocoaso:
Tinubu probably has no idea who he is.....and instead of sending the DSS, to go undercover and find out what his person and character is....he didn't do his due diligence.

Now he has appointed a known thug.....one which everyone knows he is a thug.
Only the president doesn't know.