The Imo State Government has accused the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) of plotting to intentionally plunge the state into darkness as part of an alleged plan to undermine the ongoing Light Up Imo electricity project.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, the government said it had uncovered what it called “wicked” efforts by EEDC to frustrate the landmark initiative aimed at delivering uninterrupted power supply across the state, beginning with Owerri Municipality.

According to the statement, the planned disruption is allegedly motivated by fear that the new project—driven by the state-licensed Orashi Electricity Company—would reduce EEDC’s influence and revenue base, exposing its history of “epileptic performance.”

The government warned that if EEDC carries out the alleged plan, the resulting blackout would cause widespread losses for residents and businesses. It also accused the company of attempting to mislead the public by blaming the outages on the installation phase of the Orashi Electricity Company.

The full statement, titled “EEDC PLANS MASSIVE ELECTRICITY OUTAGE IN IMO TO SABOTAGE STATE GOVERNMENT’S ELECTRICITY PROJECT,” reads:

“The Imo State Government has obtained credible intelligence of plans by the management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to unleach major power outages in Imo State in a bid to frustrate and sabotage the Light up Imo project which will soon provide uninterrupted light to all parts of the state.

“The government has ample evidence indicating that EEDC is determined to ensure that this effort of the Imo State government to provide reliable and affordable electricity for Imo people is frustrated.

“The government has always known that the management of EEDC will want to hold on to its current monopoly of providing erratic electricity to Imo people at exorbitant tariffs.

“The idea behind the planned massive power outage by EEDC is to turn around and blame the installation process of the Orashi Electricity company, the state government’s licensed company, for the blackouts.

“EEDC has already prepared a statement it will issue blaming the state government and Orashi Electricity Company for the outages. This is a ploy to turn Imo people against the company and also create the false impression that the company lacks the technical knowledge and capacity to function.

“EEDC is already aware that the first phase of the Light Up Imo Project will significantly cover the entire Owerri metropolis and is therefore afraid of losing its monopoly and the attendant revenue. That is the reason for this desperation.

“The government is by this statement putting Imo people on notice of this unholy plan by EEDC to inflict avoidable hardship and huge losses to businesses through this wicked plan to throw the state into darkness anytime from today or tomorrow.

“Security agencies are also being alerted on this wicked plan by EEDC to sabotage a fully licensed company from fully carrying out its responsibilities and, of course, the implications of such lawlessness.”