FG Blocked My Plan for 24/7 Power in Akwa Ibom, Says Ex-Governor Victor Attah
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, has disclosed that his administration’s plan to provide uninterrupted 24-hour electricity for the state was stalled by the Federal Government.
Attah made the revelation while reflecting on his time in office, noting that Akwa Ibom had both the vision and capacity to achieve steady power supply long before the current national power reforms.
According to him, the major obstacle was the constitutional and regulatory framework at the time, which placed electricity generation and distribution largely under federal control.
“I wanted to provide 24/7 electricity for Akwa Ibom State, but the Federal Government blocked it,” Attah said.
The former governor explained that despite the state’s readiness to invest in independent power projects, approvals and operational freedom were denied, making it impossible for subnational governments to fully participate in the power sector.
He argued that this centralised system slowed development and deprived states of the opportunity to meet their unique energy needs.
Attah’s comments have reignited discussions around Nigeria’s power sector reforms, especially the recent constitutional amendments that now allow states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently.
Analysts say his remarks highlight how earlier decentralisation could have transformed power supply and accelerated economic growth in states like Akwa Ibom.
Residents and stakeholders have reacted with mixed feelings, with some expressing frustration over missed opportunities, while others see the statement as a lesson for current leaders to fully utilise the new legal powers granted to states.
The Federal Government has not officially responded to Attah’s claim. However, power sector experts note that past administrations operated under stricter laws, which limited state-led electricity initiatives.
As Nigeria continues to battle chronic power shortages, Attah’s revelation underscores the long-standing impact of policy bottlenecks and strengthens calls for deeper decentralisation and state driven solutions in the energy sector.
