Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has sharply criticized the Federal Government over repeated national grid collapses, urging Nigerians to demand accountability and responsible leadership.
In a statement, Obi referenced President Bola Tinubu’s 2022 campaign promise, in which he pledged: “If I do not provide steady electricity in my first four years, do not vote for me for a second term.”
Obi noted that in January 2026 alone, the national grid has collapsed twice, while last year it failed approximately twelve times.
“This reality sharply contradicts the promise and should worry every patriotic Nigerian,” he said.
The former vice-presidential candidate also drew a stark comparison with Turkey, a country of about 87 million people, roughly a third of Nigeria’s population, which generates and distributes over 120,000 megawatts of electricity. Nigeria, by contrast, struggles with less than 5% of that capacity.
“The contrast is both striking and painful,” Obi said.
He further criticized the President’s foreign engagements, insisting that leadership should focus on domestic issues first.
“Our appeal is simple: stay at home and confront the nation’s problems. At this rate, we may soon hear of trips to Palau or Vanuatu while critical issues remain unattended at home,” Obi remarked.
Obi warned that the nation’s preoccupation with the next election has distracted from pressing governance challenges.
“We should be joining hands to demand accountability and responsible leadership, and to save Nigerians from the indignity and suffering caused by persistent bad governance,” he added.
Concluding his statement, Obi expressed optimism for the future, emphasizing the need for collective action: “A New Nigeria is possible.”
