Peter Obi Calls for Accountability on Power Grid Failures
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has issued a strong appeal to Nigerians, urging them to hold President Bola Tinubu accountable for his campaign promises regarding electricity supply. In a statement released on social media on January 28, 2026, Obi highlighted the recurring failures of the national grid as evidence of unfulfilled commitments.
Recurring Grid Collapses Challenge Presidential Promises
Obi pointed out that the year has barely begun, yet the national grid has already collapsed twice in January 2026. He reminded the public of President Tinubu's clear campaign promise made in 2022, where the President stated that he should not be voted in for a second term if he fails to end epileptic power supply during his first term in office.
The statement from Peter Obi reads: "President Bola Tinubu’s campaign promise in 2022 was clear: 'If I do not provide steady electricity in my first four years, do not vote for me for a second term.' Yet, in January 2026 alone, the national grid has already collapsed twice, and the month is not even over. Last year, it collapsed about twelve times. This reality sharply contradicts the promise and should worry every patriotic Nigerian."
Stark Contrast with International Standards
Obi further criticized the situation by drawing a comparison with Turkey, a country with approximately 87 million people—roughly one-third of Nigeria's population. Despite its smaller size, Turkey generates and distributes over 120,000 megawatts of electricity, while Nigeria struggles with less than 5% of that capacity. Obi described this contrast as both striking and painful, emphasizing the gap in infrastructure and governance.
He also noted that President Tinubu is currently on another foreign trip, this time to Turkey, while critical domestic issues like power supply remain unresolved. Obi appealed for the President to stay at home and confront the nation's problems directly, warning that at this rate, Nigerians might soon hear of trips to smaller nations like Palau or Vanuatu while essential issues are neglected.
Call for Focus on Governance Over Elections
In his statement, Obi expressed concern that the collective preoccupation of Nigerians seems to be focused on the next election rather than on securing good governance. He urged citizens to join hands in demanding accountability and responsible leadership to save Nigerians from the indignity and suffering caused by persistent bad governance.
Obi concluded with a hopeful note, stating: "A New Nigeria is Possible." This call to action underscores his belief that with concerted effort and focus on critical issues like electricity, the country can overcome its challenges and achieve better governance.
