Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has raised concerns over the Nigerian government’s plan to expand electricity tariff hikes to more consumers, beyond those already affected.

Falana, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, criticized the recent tariff increase for Band A consumers, calling it unjustifiable under the Electricity Act, 2023. He vowed to take legal action on behalf of Nigerians if necessary.

According to him, the removal of electricity subsidy in 2022 has left citizens bearing the brunt of inefficiencies in the electricity sector. He accused the government of making Nigerians foot the bill for mismanagement.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently announced a tariff increase for customers enjoying 20 hours of power supply daily, falling under Band A classification. This move, raising the tariff from N66 to N225 per kilowatt-hour, has faced criticism due to its suddenness and the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

While the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, suggested that only about 1.5 million consumers would be affected, Falana dismissed the notion of electricity subsidy, alleging that the hike aims to bail out financially strained electricity distribution companies (DisCos).

Falana condemned the government’s insensitivity to the hardships faced by Nigerians, exacerbated by policies like the removal of petrol subsidy and the collapse of foreign exchange windows. He warned of further tariff hikes impacting more consumers, emphasizing the need for legal action to challenge what he perceives as impunity.

In his view, these policies have led to unprecedented increases in the cost of living, highlighting the need for accountability and fairness in government actions.