Obi slams Tinubu over failed power promises as outages persist
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria's ongoing electricity crisis, directly quoting the President's 2023 campaign promise: 'If I don't give you constant electricity in four years, don't vote for me for a second term.' Obi made the remarks in a statement on Thursday, noting that nearly three years into the administration, average power generation remains below 4,000 megawatts despite higher tariffs. He highlighted that Nigeria's electricity consumption is among the world's lowest at about 144 kWh per capita, compared to Africa's average of 617 kWh. Obi also referenced Tinubu's recent visit to Jos after Plateau State attacks, quoting the President as saying, 'You have no light here, I fly out in ten minutes,' which he called emblematic of daily struggles. This debate unfolds despite Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu's assertions on March 26, 2026, during a Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry meeting in Lagos, that 'ongoing reforms are yielding results' and generation levels were at their highest. The minister credited increased gas supply to power plants for expected improvements within weeks. Public reaction reflects deep frustration, with social media user KachiMD commenting, 'Promised us light, but is very busy generating darkness,' while Tunde urged holding leaders accountable while acknowledging the sector needs time, questioning whether visible progress exists. The core issue centers on whether Nigerians should demand immediate accountability for broken promises or grant more time for complex power sector reforms amid worsening daily outages.