Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has expressed his disappointment over the widespread power outages affecting numerous regions in Northern Nigeria, attributing this darkness largely to acts of vandalism.
Kwankwaso pointed out that this troubling situation is exacerbated by the rising prices of petrol and diesel across the nation.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, the ex-governor of Kano State noted that the soaring fuel costs have not only plunged homes into darkness but have also led to the closure of various factories.
He emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to explore alternative energy sources to fulfil its energy demands and to make better use of the nation’s abundant resources.
“It is truly disheartening to see many areas in Northern Nigeria engulfed in darkness today due to vandalism affecting the critical 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna power line, which provides electricity to Kano and Kaduna, as well as another line serving Bauchi, Gombe, and other northeastern states,” he stated.
Kwankwaso further explained, “The prolonged duration of this crisis highlights the significant shortcomings in our power sector’s capacity to handle large-scale issues, which must be rectified to prevent future disruptions.”
He advocated for a shift towards alternative energy solutions, urging state governments and private investors to invest in these sources.
Kwankwaso cited the example set in Kano, where two turbines were installed at the Challawa Gorge and Tiga Dams to reduce reliance on Nigeria’s outdated and inadequate energy infrastructure.
