When representatives of Ndokwa nation converged at the gate of Government House, Asaba, Delta State, to protest over the prolonged failure to connect their area to the national grid, it is difficult not to be empathetic.
For over 20 years, Ndokwa nation has not had a feel of electricity. The paradox of the situation is that while the area is wallowing in darkness, it is dotted with oil fields where crude oil, associated gas and natural gas are regularly extracted to power the rest of the country.
The situation is a clear demonstration of cog in the wheel of development and growth the lumping of electricity into the Exclusive Legislative List has been. The framers of the military-inspired Second Republic and Fourth republic constitutions did the country maximum damage in its developmental framework.
By preventing states from venturing into the generation, distribution and marketing of electricity, the constitution became an impediment to development. We only need to look at the state of education and broadcasting to appreciate what the country has been losing.
Shortly after Independence, the regions leveraged on the atmosphere of positive competition embedded in the constitution to engage in ventures that made Nigeria score a lot of firsts in critical areas of development.
From having the first television in Africa in Ibadan under the Western Region to the first wholely independent indigenous university in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Eastern Region, the healthy competition propelled the country on a path of accelerated growth that was impeded by the over concentration of levers of development at the centre.
Now that the power sector has been removed from the asphyxiating hold of the Exclusive List, states can now address the longstanding neglect of their communities.
It is in this light that we commend the Ndokwa nation for the peaceful nature of their Wednesday, April 22, 2026 protest to Government House, Asaba. By their peaceful protest, they drew attention to scandalous state of electricity in the country, but also the imperative for states to accelerate the process of venturing into power generation.
It is clear that the Federal Government can no longer be relied on to address the electricity challenge in the country. Previously, there would have been nowhere for them to go to draw attention to their situation.
Abuja is a far flung and removed centre of power that had 66 items on its exclusive list, too much than it could handle.
On March 17, 2023, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law 16 constitutional amendment bills, one of which specifically moved the regulation of electricity from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative.
This was followed by Electricity Act of 2025 signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The Act empowers states to establish their own regulatory frameworks and electricity while also generating and distributing their own electricity.
The response of the Delta State government to the aspiration of the Ndokwa nation was not only prompt but definite. Addressing the protesters, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said his administration was committed to leveraging on the fact that electricity is now on the concurrent list to electrify the state. He said Delta State has already commenced the processes required by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) regulatory framework to make expanded electricity supply possible.
Represented by Chief of Staff Johnson Erijo, the governor acknowledged that the Ndokwa generating point had the capacity to supply power to the entire state, with additional support expected from Ughelli and Utorogu facilities. He assured the protesters that Ndokwa communities would soon be connected, adding that consultants had been engaged to complete the technical and regulatory groundwork needed to connect the area.
We commend His Excellency, the Governor for the proactive steps already taken to chart an expedited course to address the electricity conundrum in the state. The people of Ndokwa nation and, indeed, the entire Deltans should be rest assured that with the passage of the law for the establishment of an agency to superintend investments in the generation and distribution of electricity, Delta will soon be weaned from the nightmare of the national grid and create the atmosphere for residents in the state to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
This is an opportunity for states, especially those in Niger Delta region to take their destiny in their hands and expedite action in activating their venture into power generation and distribution. With limitless availability of natural gas right in their backyard, Niger Delta states should lead the charged in weaning their region the disastrous national grid.
