Garba Ramat on Friday illegally assumed office as the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), despite lacking Senate confirmation and in defiance of a presidential directive to wait.

Sources within the commission told BusinessDay that Ramat arrived at the NERC headquarters accompanied by no fewer than 50 political backers and armed personnel and forcibly took over operations, dislodging existing Commissioners.

This illegal take over comes just one day after a statehouse press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, clearly stated that all nominations, including Ramat’s, were “subject to Senate confirmation” and that the current acting chairman would remain in position pending Senate approval.

The Nigerian Senate is currently in recess and not scheduled to reconvene until September 23, casting doubt over the legitimacy of Ramat’s self-imposed takeover.

Read also: Tinubu appoints Ramat to replace Garba as NERC chairman

Ramat, a former chairman of Ungogo local government area (LGA) in Kano state from 2021 to 2024, was nominated by President Bola Tinubu to replace the current NERC chairman. But according to insiders, his controversial attempt to bypass the constitutional process has set off alarm bells across Nigeria’s power sector.

“This is not just illegal—it’s dangerous,” said a senior executive in the sector, who requested anonymity. “We have billions invested in this sector. Such political recklessness erodes investor confidence. NERC is a regulator, not a battleground.”

According to legal experts, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Act provides clear procedures for the appointment and removal of commissioners and the chairman.

“A mere nomination does not equal appointment,” said one constitutional lawyer. “There is a tenure system at NERC, and any removal must follow due process. What happened today is a breach of that law.”

Experts in the sector are monitoring the unfolding dramatic takeover and labeling it as unconstitutional and advised that the proper process be followed.

Behind the scenes, political intrigue appears to be driving Ramat’s appointment which has stirred considerable concern among investors in the power sector who doubt the competence of the new appointees.

BusinessDay gathered that his actions are being backed by a powerful political figure that loiters around the Presidency and has the President’s ear, but with little
Knowledge of the industry. The figure is said to be instrumental in Ramat’s nomination and encouraging the power grab.

“He is throwing his weight around and trying to control regulatory appointments,” said a source familiar with the power struggle. “But this one may have gone too far.”

Stakeholders across the sector, including investors across the value chain, international investors, and consumer advocacy groups, have begun voicing concerns about what they describe as “a dangerous politicisation of the power regulatory framework.”

Read also: Tinubu nominates CEO, Commissioners for NERC

“It’s troubling,” said an executive in the sector. “This is not how a regulator should be run, and it sets a terrible precedent for governance and investment in Nigeria.”

As of press time, the Presidency had not issued a statement addressing the forceful takeover.