Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has declared that it is impossible for any government to provide Nigerians with 24-hour electricity within four years. He made this assertion while reacting to recent promises by the current administration to stabilize the national grid and ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Obi's Critique of Power Sector Promises
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Obi stated that the power sector's challenges are deep-rooted and cannot be resolved overnight. He criticized what he described as 'unrealistic campaign promises' that mislead the public. According to him, even with the best policies and massive investment, achieving 24-hour electricity nationwide would require at least a decade of sustained effort.
'It is completely unrealistic to promise 24-hour electricity in four years given the current state of our power sector,' Obi said. 'We have a generation capacity of around 4,000 megawatts for a population of over 200 million. The transmission and distribution infrastructure is dilapidated, and we lack the necessary investment climate.'
Historical Context and Global Comparisons
Obi drew comparisons with other countries that have achieved reliable power supply, noting that many took decades to build their systems. He highlighted that even countries like South Africa still face load shedding despite having more advanced infrastructure. 'We must be honest with Nigerians. This is not about a lack of will but a lack of realistic planning and execution capabilities,' he added.
The former Anambra State governor also pointed out that the privatization of the power sector has not yielded the expected results. He called for a comprehensive review of the entire value chain, from generation to distribution, and urged the government to focus on incremental improvements rather than grand promises.
Impact on Economic Development
Obi emphasized that unreliable electricity remains a major bottleneck for Nigeria's economic growth, affecting small businesses and industries alike. He argued that without addressing the fundamental issues, including gas supply constraints and vandalism of power infrastructure, any timeline for 24-hour electricity is mere rhetoric.
'Nigerians deserve the truth. We can achieve reliable power, but not in four years,' Obi concluded. 'Let us set achievable targets and work diligently towards them instead of making empty promises.'
