Amanze Chinonye
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, recalling the President’s 2022 campaign pledge that failure to deliver steady power within four years should cost him a second term.
In a statement on Wednesday, Obi quoted Tinubu as saying during the campaign: “If I do not provide steady electricity in my first four years, do not vote for me for a second term.” He argued that recent developments in the power sector sharply contradict that promise.
According to Obi, the national electricity grid has collapsed twice in January 2026 alone, with the month yet to end. He added that the grid reportedly suffered about 12 collapses in 2025, a situation he described as deeply worrying and inconsistent with the administration’s commitments.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe former Anambra State governor also drew a comparison between Nigeria and Turkey, where President Tinubu is currently on an official visit. Obi noted that Turkey, with a population of about 87 million people, generates and distributes over 120,000 megawatts of electricity, while Nigeria, with a much larger population, struggles to generate less than five per cent of that figure.
He criticised the President’s frequent foreign trips, urging him to remain in the country to confront pressing domestic challenges, particularly in the power sector. Obi warned that governance priorities appear misplaced, suggesting that national attention has shifted prematurely to electoral calculations rather than effective leadership.
“Our appeal is simple: stay at home and confront the nation’s problems,” Obi said, adding that Nigerians should focus on demanding accountability and good governance instead of concentrating on future elections.
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Nigeria’s power sector has long been plagued by inadequate generation, transmission constraints and frequent system collapses, despite repeated reforms and privatisation efforts. The Tinubu administration has pledged to stabilise the grid and expand generation capacity, but outages and collapses have continued to affect households and businesses nationwide.
Obi concluded by calling on Nigerians to unite in holding leaders accountable, saying persistent power failures have continued to impose hardship and undermine national dignity.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
