Northern Nigerians decry prolonged power outage, blast elected leaders

The prolonged power outage in Taraba State and across the Northeast has continued to spark frustration among residents, who are increasingly becoming critical of the elected leaders’ silence on the crisis.

For over a week, a widespread blackout left millions in Taraba and the surrounding states without power, stalling business operations, disrupting daily life, and raising concerns over a potential increase in crime.

An investigation by our reporter highlights a growing discontent within states affected by the outages, with many accusing the leaders, particularly those in the Northern Governors’ Forum, of inaction.

Despite the power cuts impacting both urban centres and rural areas, officials have yet to address the situation publicly, fueling anger and a feeling of neglect among residents.

A Community leader, Usman Milla, described the power situation as “unbearable,” warning that if not resolved soon, it could worsen security issues in an already vulnerable region.

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“What baffles most of us is the lukewarm attitude of our leaders toward the power outage in this part of the country,” Milla remarked.

He added that prolonged blackouts may drive some residents to desperate measures, noting that local businesses, particularly those relying on electricity to keep perishable items, have been hit hard.

A food vendor, Agnes Samuel, lamented that all her refrigerated stock had spoiled.

“All my plans have been frustrated because of this total blackout we’ve been enduring for over a week,” she said.

Similarly, Salihu Alade, a small business owner who sells sachet water and soft drinks, also expressed frustration, saying he has concluded plans to close his business pending when power is restored.

Like every respondent, he attributed the crisis to a perceived lack of proactive measures from northern leaders and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.

“Our leaders from this part of the country have failed us,” Alade stated, urging for urgent federal action to restore stability to the affected regions.

Adding to the urgency, a source from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, warned residents to unplug appliances, as power could be restored soon, potentially with high voltage that might damage equipment.

With the ongoing development, residents spread across the state and the region at large, are demanding a swift response from the leaders to address the crisis and prevent further escalation of insecurity in the region.