Dare Babalola
A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the state of electricity supply in the country.
In a statement posted on Saturday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi recalled Tinubu’s promise during the 2023 campaign that Nigerians should not vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver steady electricity within four years.
Obi argued that current realities contradict that assurance, noting that electricity generation, which stood at over 4,000 megawatts when the administration assumed office in 2023, now averages below that mark, even as tariffs have increased nationwide.
He said, “When he took office in 2023, Nigeria had a power supply of over 4,000 megawatts and lower tariffs. Today, the electricity power supply is less than 4,000 megawatts on the average, and Nigerians are paying higher tariffs.”
The former Anambra State governor also raised concerns about Nigeria’s electricity consumption, stating that the country’s per capita usage remains significantly below the African average.
According to him, while Africa’s average stands at about 617 kilowatt-hours (kWh), Nigeria’s is approximately 144 kWh.
Obi further referenced Tinubu’s recent visit to Jos, Plateau State, following a deadly attack, pointing to remarks allegedly made by the President during a brief stop at the airport on Thursday, April 2.
Quoting the President, Obi said, “You have no light here, I fly out in ten minutes,” arguing that the comment reflects a disconnect between leadership and the daily struggles of Nigerians who endure prolonged power outages.
He described the situation as a “glaring display of disregard for promises” and called on citizens to demand accountability, urging a shift away from what he termed ineffective leadership.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency has not issued an official response to Obi’s claims.
