‘My N500,000 Electricity Bill Now N4m, Atiku’ll Restore Subsidy’ — Amaechi

Former Rivers State governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has said his electricity bill rose from N500,000 to N4 million, blaming the increase on the Federal Government’s electricity subsidy and tariff policies.

Amaechi made the claim on Thursday during ward visits in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he delivered the presidential campaign message of ADC candidate Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 election.

He told residents that the monthly electricity bill for his house had previously been about N500,000 but had increased to N4 million under the current tariff structure.

“My house electricity bill was N500,000; now I pay N4 million,” Amaechi said, adding that Atiku had promised to restore electricity subsidies if elected president.

According to him, the proposed policy would mean that consumers would no longer be subjected to the existing Band A and Band B tariff arrangements in the same manner because government support would help reduce the burden on electricity users.

Amaechi also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the policy had contributed to higher transportation costs and rising prices of food and other essential commodities.

He cited increases in the prices of items including tomatoes and corn, while also linking the economic difficulties to worsening insecurity.

The former governor said insecurity had made it difficult for farmers to access their farms, affecting agricultural production and contributing to food-price increases.

He said Atiku’s proposed approach would address the effects of subsidy removal and provide relief to Nigerians struggling with higher living costs.

The electricity tariff system introduced by the Federal Government differentiates consumers according to the level of electricity service they receive. Band A customers are expected to receive at least 20 hours of supply daily, while customers in lower bands receive fewer hours.

The government has defended electricity tariff reforms as necessary to improve the financial sustainability of the power sector and attract investment into electricity generation and distribution.

Amaechi’s comments form part of the ADC’s wider campaign message ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as the opposition coalition seeks to present economic hardship, electricity costs, insecurity and rising living expenses as key issues requiring urgent government action.