Residents of Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State have issued a strong warning to political aspirants and officeholders: restore electricity to the area or forfeit support in the 2027 general elections.

The ultimatum was delivered by a coalition of civil society groups, including Afikpo Intelligentsia in the Diaspora (AID), RestoreAfikpoLight Campaigners Abroad, and the Odinma Afikpo Group (OAG). The groups directed their demands at key political figures from the constituency, notably the member representing Afikpo/Edda in the House of Representatives, Chief Iduma Igariwey; the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila; members of the State House of Assembly; and other political stakeholders.

The coalition’s statement comes in response to recent remarks attributed to Igariwey, in which he argued that funding power projects does not fall within the responsibilities of lawmakers. He also described criticisms over the prolonged blackout—especially in his Ehugbo community—as stemming from misinformation.

However, the groups countered that existing legal frameworks, including the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electricity Act 2023, and the Electricity (Amendment) Act 2025, empower federal lawmakers with sufficient tools to drive action in the power sector.

Expressing deep concern, the coalition noted that Afikpo Local Government Area has endured over two decades without electricity. They argued that Igariwey, who has represented the constituency for approximately 12 consecutive years, should have taken more decisive legislative steps, such as sponsoring a Motion of Urgent Public Importance on the matter.

While acknowledging that the lawmaker facilitated a public hearing in 2020—where the leadership of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was summoned to address the issue—the groups criticized the lack of sustained follow-up.

“Nearly six years after that intervention, there has been no meaningful progress or communication regarding the restoration of power supply,” the statement read.

The coalition further stressed that since 2015, the lawmaker could have pursued concrete measures such as securing budgetary provisions for the Amasiri–Afikpo transmission line, filing formal petitions to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and engaging the Rural Electrification Agency to prioritize the constituency.

According to the groups, these actions fall squarely within the constitutional roles of representation, oversight, and appropriation—particularly for a ranking legislator.

They concluded by insisting that the people of Afikpo and Edda deserve more proactive and transparent representation, including formal legislative motions, public hearings, and enforceable budgetary commitments.

Instead, they lamented what they described as the lawmaker’s consistent avoidance of public accountability forums on the issue, warning that continued inaction would carry political consequences.