The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised serious concerns about what it describes as the Federal Government’s possible indifference toward the prolonged blackout affecting northern Nigeria. According to the ACF, this power outage, now lasting more than a week, has intensified the economic struggles already facing the region, with potential long-term impacts on social stability and security.
The ongoing power outage is reportedly due to vandalism of electricity transmission lines, an issue that has left vast parts of the northern states in near darkness and disrupted critical economic activities. In response, the ACF has called on the Federal Government to declare an urgent state of emergency over the power crisis and to address what it calls an unfair distribution of electricity resources across the country.
The group, through a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, highlighted the ongoing impact of the outage on daily life and the frustration building among residents. “For more than a week, vast parts of the northern states have faced continuous power outages, nearly paralyzing economic and social activities, and leading to a growing frustration among the population,” the statement read. This situation has intensified the struggles of many businesses and families who rely on consistent power for their daily needs.
Further concerns were raised by the ACF over recent comments from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which suggested that technical and security challenges might prolong the outage. The Forum questioned the allocation disparities, noting that although the North generates a significant portion of Nigeria’s electricity, it receives only a fraction of the power in return. Highlighting this issue, the ACF pointed out that Lagos, a single city, has eight power substations, while the entire northern region—home to over half of Nigeria’s population—has only three substations, located in Jos, Kaduna, and Kano.
“This situation is a clear threat to national security. Public officials’ silence on this issue reflects an unacceptable abdication of their responsibilities,” the statement continued. By remaining unaddressed, the ACF argued that the crisis poses a grave risk to social order and confidence in the government’s commitment to equitable treatment across regions.
The Forum also refuted explanations that attribute the crisis solely to historical mismanagement of the power sector. Specifically, the ACF criticized the Federal Government’s justification that widespread banditry along power lines is a root cause of the continued outage. According to the Forum, it is inconceivable that well-funded and equipped security agencies would be unable to eliminate these threats and secure critical infrastructure. “It’s inconceivable that our well-funded security agencies cannot eliminate these bandits and secure power lines,” the group argued, suggesting that effective intervention is achievable with adequate commitment.
The electricity crisis has affected a wide array of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those without affordable alternatives. From phone charging kiosks to food processing facilities, many business owners have been forced to halt operations, incurring significant losses as they await the return of power. Households and offices have also suffered, enduring uncomfortable conditions with residents facing unbearably hot days and dark nights.
The ACF condemned what it perceives as an indifferent government response to the blackout and emphasized that the Federal Government must recognize this crisis as an urgent national security issue. Without prompt action, the current conditions could result in greater social instability across the northern region.
Additionally, the Forum called for a fairer distribution of electricity resources, highlighting the paradox of the North “being the candle that provides light yet being cast into darkness.” This metaphor underscored the irony of a region responsible for substantial electricity generation remaining without power.
“This unjust situation must be rectified immediately in the interest of national stability, fairness, and equity,” the ACF asserted. To bring about change, the Forum urged northern state governors and National Assembly members to advocate forcefully for immediate action, pressing the Federal Government to take meaningful steps toward resolving the crisis and ensuring more equitable access to electricity for the northern region.