Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, linking recent national grid collapses to a campaign promise the President made ahead of the 2023 elections.
In a post shared on his verified X handle, Obi recalled Tinubu’s 2022 pledge in which he stated, “If I do not provide steady electricity in my first four years, do not vote for me for a second term.” Obi argued that recent developments in the power sector sharply contradict that promise.
According to him, the national grid collapsed twice in January 2026 alone, even though the month is yet to end.
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He added that the grid reportedly failed about twelve times in the previous year, a situation he described as deeply concerning and inconsistent with assurances given to Nigerians.
Obi also expressed concern over the President’s frequent foreign trips, noting that Tinubu was currently in Turkey while critical domestic issues remained unresolved.
He drew a comparison between Nigeria and Turkey, pointing out that Turkey, with a population of about 87 million people, generates and distributes over 120,000 megawatts of electricity, while Nigeria struggles with less than five per cent of that figure.
He described the contrast as “striking and painful,” arguing that it highlights leadership and governance gaps rather than a lack of potential or resources.
Calling for a change in priorities, Obi urged the President to focus more on internal challenges. “Our appeal is simple: stay at home and confront the nation’s problems,” he wrote, warning that continuous foreign trips could further distance leadership from the realities faced by citizens.
The former Anambra State governor also criticised what he described as an unhealthy fixation on future elections rather than urgent governance issues. He said Nigerians should be more focused on demanding accountability, responsible leadership, and solutions that address daily hardships.
Obi concluded by urging collective action to confront poor governance and reaffirmed his long-standing message of hope, stating, “A New Nigeria is POssible.”