After Another Grid Collapse, Peter Obi Reminds Tinubu Of Vow Against Second Term Without Stable Power Supply

 

Nigerians were once again plunged into darkness following the collapse of the national electricity grid, a crisis that has become all too frequent despite huge investments in the power sector. The situation has drawn sharp criticism from former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who reminded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of a bold campaign promise he made less than two years ago. Speaking through his official X handle on Wednesday, September 10, Obi recalled Tinubu’s words from December 22, 2022, when he told Nigerians not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver constant electricity within his first four years in office. The reminder came at a time when the country is grappling with repeated power outages, raising fresh questions about the government’s commitment to reforming one of Nigeria’s most crucial sectors.

Obi pointed out that the All Progressives Congress and the current administration have presided over more power grid failures than any government in the nation’s history, a development he described as both alarming and disappointing. He argued that for a country already identified as having the highest number of people without electricity anywhere in the world, a promise to provide stable power was one of the most important commitments that any leader could make. The former governor said Nigerians cannot afford to forget such a pledge, especially when it directly affects economic survival, industrial growth, and the day-to-day lives of ordinary citizens.

He went further to highlight the economic consequences of persistent electricity shortages, stressing that while billions of dollars have been pumped into Nigeria’s power sector over the years, little or no improvement has been achieved. According to him, countries like Vietnam, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Indonesia have invested comparable or even smaller sums, yet successfully doubled or tripled their power generation capacity, transforming their economies and boosting productivity. Nigeria on the other hand has barely moved from 4,500 megawatts to around 5,000 megawatts in over a decade. Obi explained that the lack of significant progress has left factories closing their doors, businesses collapsing under the weight of high operating costs, and households relying on expensive fuel-powered generators.

He argued that Nigeria, with a GDP of about 200 billion dollars, has the capacity to grow rapidly if electricity supply were to improve. Generating a modest 10,000 megawatts, he claimed, could raise the country’s GDP by at least 50 percent, creating jobs, expanding industries, and reviving small and medium enterprises. Obi lamented that instead of focusing on this vital sector, the government has chosen to pursue coastal road projects which, while beneficial, will not have the same transformative effect on the economy as electricity reform would. He described the choice as misplaced priority, one that risks prolonging poverty, unemployment, and business stagnation.

The political weight of his reminder is significant. Tinubu’s promise during the campaign was not a casual remark, but a clear statement tying his future re-election to performance in the power sector. With Nigerians still enduring endless blackouts, opposition voices like Obi are likely to remind voters of that pledge in the coming years. If the administration fails to deliver on its promise, the credibility of the president and his party may be severely damaged ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

Obi’s intervention also reflects the growing frustration among citizens, many of whom no longer believe that large financial commitments in the power sector will lead to meaningful progress. He emphasized that trust in government can only be rebuilt through results that people can see in their homes, workplaces, and schools. Without stable electricity, he warned, Nigeria will continue to lag behind nations that have leveraged power reform to unlock industrialization and attract global investment.

Despite the heavy criticism, Obi concluded his message with a note of hope, insisting that a New Nigeria is still possible if leaders make the right choices. He urged Tinubu to prioritize electricity generation and distribution above all else, arguing that powering small businesses, factories, and communities remains the surest path to job creation and economic revival. For now, Nigerians continue to live with the reality of unstable power, but Obi’s reminder has reignited debate about whether the president will stand by his words or face judgment at the ballot box if his government cannot turn on the lights.