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Oyo Senator, Balogun breaks silence, kicks against electricity tariff hike
Senator Kola Balogun, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, last Thursday broke silence on the electricity tariff hike.
Balogun, who is also a member of the Senate Committee on Power kicked against the increase in electricity tariff implemented by power distribution companies across the country, just as he absolved the Senate of being part of the decision.
The lawmaker maintained that any policy that will further inflict more hardship on the masses will always be rejected.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had on August 27 informed that electricity tariff reviews, going forward will only follow service-based principles.
According to NERC, DiSCos will only be able to review tariff rates for customers when they consult with them and commit to increasing the number of hours of supply per day and quality of service.
Senator Balogun, during a media parley with the Southwest Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital further disclosed how the Committee rejected the plan to increase electricity tarrif at a meeting organised by the National Electricity Regularly Commission (NERC), in Lagos.
“Sometimes last year, NERC invited us to a meeting in Lagos where they came up with this proposal to increase electricity tariff and quite a number of us on that day rejected it out rightly, we said we will not support it.
“Because, how can you charge people for what they are not getting? That’s our position. Go and improve on your performances.
“Look at the telecoms. When NITEL was unbundled and we now have GSM, people are willing to pay, they are still paying because they are getting the services .
“So, how can I go back to my district and tell them that I agreed with the tariff to pay more for what they are not getting, it doesn’t make sense. I know we spoke against it and we left it at that. So we didn’t support it”, he explained.
Balogun, however continued, “But, it is safe for us to pass a law or amend an act to stop any situation, that is what is binding. As we speak I still don’t support it because timing is wrong, even if they have enough reasons to increase, how can you do that at this material time of COVID?”, he questioned.
The PDP chieftain noted that the problem in power sector started with the way and manner the system was unbundled. He alleged that the players lacked the wherewithal; both technical and financial muscle to perform optimally.
“Already we have 8,000MW, deliverable is still about 3,000-4,000MW; because they are not investing in transmission infrastructure.
“So, they don’t give them more than they can take, because if the load goes back, it will damage the system. And of course, distribution also has its own problem.
“If we have 5,000 MW deliverables, Nigerians will witness mass improvement in our electricity supply and then you can imagine if we have about 7, 000 MW deliverables.
“They said they don’t have the off takers which is not true. They also complained about inability to collect revenues from the general public and that the federal government is also owing them a lot of money. But, we say go and get prepaid meters. So what the federal government is trying to do now is likely to procure prepaid meters for them. If you have prepaid meters you make more money because nobody will take your electricity without paying”, he submitted.
Balogun also commended the federal government for bringing Siemens to invest in transmission infrastructure.
According to him, “What the federal government is doing now, I am in support of it. The federal government is bringing Siemens to invest in transmission infrastructure. In fact it took a little argument before the owners of the transmission business allowed that to happen because there is always an agreement.
“In fact, we have to really be diplomatic, almost being persuasive for them to allow Siemens to come in and they have done a lot of feasibility study and they are bringing in almost everything that we would need to invest in transmission infrastructure; although with a loan from France”, he added.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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