Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reminded President Bola Tinubu of his 2022 campaign pledge not to seek a second term if he fails to deliver steady electricity in his first four years in office.
Obi, who issued the reminder on Wednesday, September 10, through his official X handle, made the remarks hours after another nationwide power grid collapse plunged millions of Nigerians into darkness.
Quoting Tinubu’s campaign statement, Obi recalled: “Lest we forget, ‘If I don’t give you constant electricity in the next four years, don’t vote for me for second term.’”
The former Anambra State governor accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of presiding over more power failures than any other administration in Nigeria’s history.
He lamented that, despite billions of dollars invested in the sector, electricity supply remains grossly inadequate, crippling businesses and livelihoods across the country.
Drawing comparisons with other developing nations, Obi noted that countries such as Vietnam, Egypt, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have more than doubled their power generation and achieved rapid industrial growth, while Nigeria continues to struggle with epileptic supply.
“Generating even a bare minimum of 10,000 megawatts could raise our GDP by about 50%, unlock industrial expansion, and create millions of jobs,” Obi said.
He stressed that steady power supply is the foundation for economic transformation, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
He further criticised the federal government for prioritising projects such as coastal roads while leaving the power sector underfunded and underperforming.
With the 2027 general election approaching, Obi’s comments appear aimed at holding President Tinubu accountable to his campaign commitments, especially in light of growing frustration over repeated grid collapses and blackouts.
“Mr. President, it is time to prioritise generating and distributing more electricity to power businesses, especially SMEs, which will create jobs and grow the economy. A New Nigeria is possible,” Obi concluded.
Tinubu, during his campaign rally on December 22, 2022, had assured Nigerians: “If I don’t give you constant electricity in the next four years, don’t vote for me for a second term.” Now, with power supply worsening, many citizens are watching closely to see whether this promise will be kept before 2027.
