‘Vote Me Out If I Fail to Give You 24 Hours of Electricity’ — Speaker Abbas Urges Tinubu to Fulfill Campaign Promis

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (PhD), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to apply the same boldness he used in addressing fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms to tackle Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges.

TJ News Nigeria gathered that Abbas made the call during a special session of the House commemorating 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria, held at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Addressing President Tinubu directly, the Speaker said, “Mr. President, it is time to wave your magic wand once more. If anyone can do this, Mr. President, it is you.”

Tinubu’s Promise of 24-Hour Electricity

During his campaign in 2023 before the presidential election, President Tinubu boldly declared that Nigerians should “vote him out” if he failed to provide 24-hour electricity for the country. Speaker Abbas reminded the President of that commitment, urging him to take decisive action in delivering on the promise Nigerians believed in when they voted him into office.

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“Mr. President, Nigerians eagerly await the fulfillment of your promise of providing 24-hour electricity supply. We must break this cycle of darkness if we want meaningful development,” Abbas stated.

Commendations on Tinubu’s Reforms

Speaker Abbas commended President Tinubu’s “remarkable resolve” in implementing critical economic reforms over the past year, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

He noted that these actions had boosted investor confidence and helped stabilize Nigeria’s economy, particularly by increasing crude oil production to meet OPEC quotas for the first time since 2021.

Call for Decisive Action in Power Sector

Despite the successes, Abbas stressed that much work remains to be done, especially in the power sector, which remains central to Nigeria’s developmental aspirations.

He emphasized that a stable power supply is critical for industrial growth, job creation, and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.

Progress on Security and Economy

Reviewing the broader national picture, the Speaker praised improvements in national security, pointing to the ₦6.11 trillion allocation for security in the 2025 national budget and the enactment of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2023, aimed at enhancing local arms production.

He said legislative support has accelerated investments in education and healthcare, noting increased budgetary allocations for both sectors under Tinubu’s administration.

Legislature-Tinubu Relationship

Speaker Abbas revealed that members of the House of Representatives fondly refer to President Tinubu as “the darling of the legislature,” recognizing the President’s commitment to strengthening the relationship between the executive and the National Assembly.

He commended Tinubu for honoring the legislature by attending the special commemorative session, describing it as “historic.”

Push for Constitutional Amendments

Despite the achievements, the Speaker emphasized that “it is not yet Uhuru,” underscoring the need for urgent constitutional amendments before December 2025 to consolidate Nigeria’s democratic gains.

Abbas pledged the House’s readiness to fast-track legislative work on the constitutional review, particularly in addressing issues that will deepen Nigeria’s democratic culture and strengthen governance structures.

Focus on Solid Minerals Sector

In his remarks, Abbas also announced plans to commence an immediate review of the 2007 Mining Act. The objective, he said, is to unlock the untapped potential in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector by ensuring proper data management, decentralizing the regulatory processes, and strengthening existing frameworks.

“Nigeria’s economic prosperity is buried in its soil. We must act quickly to harness this wealth,” he added.

Institutionalizing Annual Presidential Address

Speaker Abbas urged President Tinubu to institutionalize the annual presidential address to the National Assembly as part of Nigeria’s growing democratic culture.

“By accepting our invitation today, you have made history. Let us now make it a tradition,” he concluded.