The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the country’s electricity situation, referencing a key campaign promise made ahead of the last general election.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Obi recalled Tinubu’s pledge during the 2023 campaign, where he stated that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to provide stable electricity within four years.
Obi argued that current developments suggest the country is moving in the opposite direction. He noted that Nigeria’s power generation, which stood at over 4,000 megawatts in 2023, has not recorded significant improvement, while electricity tariffs have continued to rise.
He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s electricity consumption, describing it as one of the lowest globally. Drawing comparisons, Obi stated that Africa’s average per capita electricity consumption is about 617kWh, while Nigeria’s stands at approximately 144kWh.
The former governor further referenced Tinubu’s recent visit to Jos, where the president met victims of the Plateau attacks during a brief stop at the airport.
According to Obi, Tinubu’s reported remark about the lack of electricity at the airport, along with his quick departure, reflects the everyday reality faced by many Nigerians.
“You have no light here, I fly out in ten minutes,” the president was quoted as saying during the visit.
Obi maintained that the situation underscores a gap between campaign promises and present realities, urging Nigerians to hold leaders accountable for their commitments.
He also called for a shift toward leadership driven by competence, empathy, and a focus on citizens’ welfare, stressing that the country deserves improved governance and sustainable solutions to its power challenges.
What you should know
Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, citing unmet campaign promises and low power generation levels.
He highlighted the country’s low electricity consumption compared to Africa’s average and pointed to recent remarks by the president during a visit to Jos as evidence of ongoing issues.
Obi is urging accountability and advocating for leadership focused on delivering practical solutions to Nigeria’s power crisis.
