A northern advocacy group, Mai Kare Talakawa (MKT), primarily based in Sokoto, has expressed strong disapproval of the recent appointment of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Chairman of the Board of Geregu Power Plc, stating it fails to address the needs of ordinary citizens.

The appointment follows the resignation of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola and stems from a major ownership change at the power generation company, where MA’AM Energy Limited acquired controlling interest through a transaction valued at approximately N1.08 trillion (around $750 million), as reported in filings with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by spokesperson Mallam Yusuf Mohammed, the group emphasized its commitment to prioritizing the interests of the downtrodden over elite endorsements. It highlighted concerns about the disconnect between large-scale corporate investments and the persistent poverty and insecurity in Zamfara State, where Senator Yari previously served as governor from 2011 to 2019.

The group pointed to Zamfara’s high poverty levels, noting a 2024 report that ranked it among Nigeria’s most multidimensionally poor states at 82.70%, and questioned the broader benefits of such acquisitions for local communities facing unemployment and unrest.

Mai Kare Talakawa also raised issues regarding potential conflicts of interest for a serving senator holding oversight roles, while referencing ongoing public discussions about governance, resource management, and regional challenges during Yari’s tenure.

The statement urged northern leaders, including Senator Yari, to heed recent comments by Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi on excessive spending amid rising numbers of out-of-school children and insecurity in the north.

Geregu Power Plc, located in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, is a key player in Nigeria’s electricity generation sector. The company announced Yari’s appointment effective immediately following a board meeting, alongside other new directors, as part of the ownership transition from Otedola’s interests to MA’AM Energy.