Rose Umeh, Anambra
A planned protest by electricity consumers in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria, against persistent power outages and high electricity tariffs has been suspended following security concerns raised by authorities.
The protest, scheduled for Saturday, March 14, was organised by the Electricity Consumers Rights Network and led by consumer rights advocate Osita Obi.
Addressing journalists on Friday in Awka, the state capital, Obi said the action had been suspended rather than cancelled after consultations with security agencies and the state government.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Anambra State Government advised that the protest could be hijacked by criminal elements, especially with the state preparing for the governor’s inauguration on March 17.
“Having listened to these people, we decided to suspend the protest, not cancel it,” Obi said, stressing that the movement would continue to push for improved electricity supply.
He revealed that he had received more than 157 phone calls, including some containing threats, urging him to call off the demonstration. However, he rejected claims circulating on social media that he had been bribed to halt the protest.
“No one can bribe me,” he said.
Obi was joined at the briefing by co-conveners Tony Erike and Okpara Nonso, who said the group did not want to take any action that could destabilise the state ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
The protest was organised by electricity consumers under the Electricity Consumers Rights Initiative and the Electricity Consumers Rights Network to highlight growing frustration among residents over erratic power supply and high estimated billing.
Many consumers say the situation has worsened despite the introduction of premium electricity tariffs under Nigeria’s Band A category, which is supposed to guarantee longer daily power supply.
The grievances are also linked to the recent transition of electricity distribution operations in the state to FirstPower, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.
Obi described the current electricity supply in the state as “useless,” saying even the limited hours of power available are often unstable and unreliable.
He urged residents to attend a town hall meeting scheduled by FirstPower on March 18, where electricity consumers will have the opportunity to question the company directly about the power situation.
“We will continue to engage; we are not chickening out,” Obi said, adding that consumer advocacy efforts would persist until meaningful improvements are achieved.