Friday December 19, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Solomon OKPO
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, has revealed that his administration’s ambitious plan to deliver uninterrupted 24-hour electricity to the state was thwarted by the Federal Government, describing the setback as a costly blow to the state’s economic future.
Attah made the disclosure while reflecting on his years in office, stating that the proposed initiative was structured to leverage local power generation to guarantee steady electricity supply for households, businesses, and industries across Akwa Ibom. According to him, the plan would have freed the state from chronic power shortages and positioned it as a competitive destination for investors.
He explained that despite the readiness of the state to drive the project, federal policies and regulatory constraints at the time effectively stalled the initiative, leaving the state unable to fully implement its electricity roadmap. The former governor maintained that the obstruction went beyond technical issues and reflected deeper structural limitations within Nigeria’s centralised power sector.
Attah argued that reliable electricity would have accelerated industrial growth, reduced unemployment, and significantly improved living standards for residents. He noted that many industries either failed to take off or operated far below capacity due to unstable power supply, depriving the state of jobs and revenue.
The former governor used the experience to renew calls for deeper decentralisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector, insisting that states should be empowered to generate, transmit, and distribute power independently. He stressed that such reforms are critical if sub-national governments are to drive meaningful economic development and escape the cycle of energy-related stagnation.
Attah’s revelation has reignited debate over federal control of the power sector, particularly at a time when several states are seeking greater autonomy to solve persistent electricity challenges and unlock their economic potential.
