2023: Power Minister Ordered Disconnection of Power Supply to Political Opponent Home in Jalingo

•Those affected can Go to Court, Minister's Aide 

The Nigeria's Minister of Power Engr Sale Mamman on Saturday allegedly ordered power supply to homes of his perceived political opponents in his homestead of Jalingo be disconnected.

The Minister is in Jalingo, capital of his home state Taraba on a condolence visit to family of late Minister for Women Affairs Hajiya Jummai Alhassan who also hails from Taraba.

Barr. Muhammad Bello Mustapha told Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper that his home was thrown into darkness after power supply to his residence was disconnected by officials of Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the order of the Minister.

"Am a member of the APC and an Aspirant for office of the National Chairman of the party , the Minister of Power who is also a member of our party has ordered that electricity supply to my house be cut off by Yola Distribution Company because the Minister believes am not in support of his governorship ambition in 2023.

"The Board Member representing North East on the North East Development Commission NEDC, Chief David Sabo Kente DSK had visited my home some days ago and he was widely received by me and my supporters, This I was told angered the Minister has he sees it's as an endorsement of DSK who is also believed to be contesting the Governor of Taraba State in 2023.  

"Without informing me,  electricity supply to my home in Jalingo was cut off by YEDC without giving any reason, simply because a perceived opponent of the Minister came to my house, my light was cut off. Am told some of my supporters in Jalingo too are witnessing same thing as we speak." Mustapha told Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper.

Also a supporter MB Mustapha said the Minister was angry because he perceived DSK as a major threat to his governorship ambition in 2023, thus he wasn't comfortable with his visit to Barr MB Mustapha who is a major stakeholder of the party in Taraba State

When contacted the spokesperson of the Minister, Aaron Artimas urged those disconnected to seek redress in court, saying they must be owing the Distribution Company before power supply to their homes could be cut off.

"First , the Minister does not have control on who is connected or disconnected, that is the job of the Distribution Company, in this case Yola Distribution Company and the Discos will not disconnect anyone who is not owing them, so  if the Barrister or anyone thinks he has been wrongly disconnected he should seek redress in court. The Minister cannot tell DISCo who to supply power and who not to supply." Artimas said.