Labour Leaders Slam Aso Rock’s Planned Disconnection from National Grid

…Say move signals privatisation failure

…’Fix grid for all, don’t insulate elites’

The planned disconnection of Aso Rock from the National Grid by March 2026 continues to draw sharp condemnation from labour leaders, who view it as a stark admission of the privatised electricity sector’s failure.

Recall that the State House permanent secretary Temitope Fashedemi, confirmed the move on February 11, 2026, during Senate budget defence. Aso Rock aims to fully switch to solar power after successful trials at the State House Medical Centre since May 2025, citing annual savings of N47 billion previously spent on grid electricity.

According to labour leaders, when Aso Rock—which is supposed to spearhead patronage and boost Nigerians’ confidence in electricity—opts out, it means the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should cease to exist.

“If the presidency switches from public electricity to a solar system, it signals no hope for ordinary Nigerians who have no other alternatives. As such, NERC should be held liable for its supervision of the inactive sector.Distribution Companies (DisCos) and Generation Companies (GenCos) should be scrapped, as Aso Rock—which ought to fight for the betterment of all Nigerians—is abandoning its responsibility. The privatisation of the electricity sector should be reversed because it is not meeting the yearnings of the masses,” they said.

To them, it shows that the apex body, which the masses ought to look up to for improved electricity, is cutting itself off from the same ladder it set up, saying rather than opting out, the government should prioritise fixing the grid for everyone.

In a chat with LEADERSHIP, trade unionist and human rights activist Comrade Owei Lakemfa, noted that pulling out of the National Grid marks the failure of the privatised electricity sector.

According to Lakemfa, a former acting general secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and ex-secretary general of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), “The planned disconnection is a loss of the Presidency’s confidence in the energy sector and a disconnection from the citizenry. It is a declaration by the government that, on electricity, every Nigerian is on their own.”

On his part, another trade union leader, Comrade Seun Abosede, described the plan as a systematic failure flowing from the top down to the grassroots.

According to Abosede, “The idea of Aso Rock disconnecting from the National Grid at a time when millions of Nigerians are battling erratic electricity supply raises serious concerns. Leadership must reflect the realities of the people. If the seat of power isolates itself from the systemic challenges affecting citizens, it sends the wrong signal—and the signal is that the APC-led federal government cares less about the people.”

On the implications of such a move, Abosede said, “The implication is clear: it deepens the reality of a widening gap between government and the governed.

Rather than opting out, the government should prioritise fixing the grid for everyone. Sustainable reform, investment in generation, and distribution efficiency should be the focus—not insulation from the problem. This, coming from a government that promised to fix electricity while campaigning, is disheartening and a pointer for Nigerians to ask critical questions and make critical decisions in 2027.”

On his own part, Comrade Tunde Ogundele blamed Nigerians for politicising every step taken by the federal government.

According to Ogundele, “Why are you people trying to politicise everything done by Aso Rock? Aso Rock, as a community, wants its own electricity run by solar power—there is nothing wrong with this. In fact, people should think progressively because the huge sums being paid for electricity from the National Grid by Aso Rock should be channelled to other areas.”

Other sources of energy should be given room to operate to show everyone that alternatives are available, just as the Dangote Refinery has changed the thinking of many people in the oil and gas sector today. As Dangote, a privately owned company, has been able to save Nigerians from long queues of vehicles at filling stations, Aso Rock dropping off from the National Grid will enable other surrounding areas to have enough electricity.”

The development has also drawn criticism from figures like Peter Obi, who views it as an admission of power sector failure amid ongoing national grid challenges.