Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Nigeria’s deepening electricity crisis, invoking the president’s own campaign pledge to question the administration’s performance.
In a strongly worded reaction dated April 4, 2026, Obi referenced Tinubu’s widely publicised 2023 campaign statement, urging Nigerians to hold the president accountable based on his promise to deliver stable power supply.
“During the 2023 campaign, President Tinubu made a clear electoral promise: ‘If I don’t give you constant electricity in four years, don’t vote for me for a second term,’” Obi stated.
He argued that developments in the power sector since Tinubu assumed office in 2023 have fallen significantly short of that benchmark.
“When he took office in 2023, Nigeria had a power supply of over 4,000 megawatts and lower tariffs. Today, the electricity power supply is less than 4,000 megawatts on the average, and Nigerians are paying higher tariffs,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor further highlighted Nigeria’s low electricity consumption, describing it as one of the worst globally.
“Nigeria currently has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in the world, with a rate below 30% of the African average. Africa’s average is 617kwh, Nigeria’s is 144 kWh. This means that Nigerians consume less electricity than other Africans,” he added.
Obi also pointed to a recent remark by Tinubu during a visit to Plateau State, using it to underscore what he described as a disconnect between leadership and citizens’ daily realities.
“In a glaring display of disregard for promises and a lack of trust, President Tinubu… stated that one of the reasons for his 10-minute stay was that the airport had no electricity: ‘You have no light here, I fly out in ten minutes.’ At a time when Nigerians are enduring days without power, our leaders cannot even stay a few minutes without it,” he said.
He concluded with a call for accountability and leadership reform, urging Nigerians to demand better governance.
“Now is the time to stop incompetent leaders—those lacking the capacity and compassion—who prioritise their own comfort over the well-being of the people and make empty promises,” Obi stated.
