Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has ruled out promising Nigerians round-the-clock electricity within a single four-year term if he wins the 2027 election, calling such a commitment dishonest given the extensive infrastructure overhaul required.
Obi's Realistic Electricity Plan
Speaking on Channels Television on Sunday night, July 26, 2026, Obi laid out what his administration would realistically achieve. He stated, "I will not tell them I'm going to give them reliable, stable, 24-hour electricity within four years. It is impossible because if you want to build a power plant, it will take you about four years to build a power plant. If you want to build and improve our transmission line, it will take you a number of years."
Focus on Transmission and Distribution
The former Anambra governor said Nigeria already generates over 10,000 megawatts but lacks the infrastructure to transmit and distribute that power. His administration would target generating, transmitting, and distributing more than 10,000 megawatts. "We are generating more than 10,000 today, but we are not able to transmit that," Obi explained. He proposed investing in decentralised, embedded power solutions, citing Geometric Power in Aba, Abia State, as a replicable model. "Look at what Geometric Power is doing in Aba — we need to replicate that in locations like Kano to drive the industries in Bompai and Sharada," he added.
Clearing Debts to Power Companies
Obi identified the federal government's outstanding debt to electricity generation companies as a major obstacle. "Today, the government owes generating companies trillions of naira. We must pay them," he said, stressing that any credible reform must start with clearing those liabilities.
Transparency Over Empty Promises
He closed with a pledge to explain failures openly, saying, "Our politics must change; if I don't deliver what I promise, I will come out and explain to the people what is going wrong." Obi was ratified as the NDC presidential candidate on May 29, 2026, after resigning from the African Democratic Congress on May 2, 2026.
Call for National Unity
Obi also called for Nigerians to move beyond past divisions and focus on building a united future, asserting that no one is better placed than him to drive change in northern Nigeria.
