A pro‑democracy group has challenged the Senate’s justification for delaying the confirmation of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). In a statement responding to Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu’s claim that “several public and private complaints” had been lodged against Ramat, the Grassroots Initiative Concept called those assertions “unfounded.” The group noted that the Senate Committee on Power had already recommended Ramat’s confirmation more than two weeks earlier.
The controversy surrounding Ramat’s appointment has fueled speculation about political interference and financial inducement, but the group maintains that such allegations are “inaccurate and unfairly presented.” Their initial concerns were intended to highlight perceived interference, not to accuse the Senate or its leadership of wrongdoing. According to the group, the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, thoroughly screened Ramat and cleared him for confirmation. The only petition received during the screening questioned Ramat’s years of experience; it was deemed baseless and dismissed.
The committee’s report recommending Ramat’s confirmation was completed and submitted to Senate leadership on 22 October 2025, yet it has not been presented to the full Senate. The group points to the swift confirmation of another nominee, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, as Managing Director of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N‑HYPPADEC), to question the fairness and consistency of the process. They have called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to provide clear answers about the delay, which they say contravenes established legislative procedure.
The group’s intervention aims to uphold institutional credibility and defend due process rather than protect any individual. They stress that the Senate’s moral authority depends on transparency and fairness, and that any perception of manipulation in the Ramat case could damage the reputation of the 10th Senate and the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda. Confident that the Senate will resolve the issue with wisdom and statesmanship, the group urges the upper chamber to act promptly to reaffirm public trust. The episode underscores the need for transparent appointments, which are essential to the success of President Bola Tinubu’s reform efforts and Nigeria’s international credibility.
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