No Steady Power, No Second Term – Obi Challenges Tinubu Over Grid Failures

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on Nigerians to hold President Bola Tinubu accountable for his 2022 campaign promises regarding the nation’s power supply. In a strong critique shared on social media today, January 28, Obi pointed out that the national grid has already collapsed twice in the first few weeks of 2026.  

Recalling the President’s own words from the campaign trail, Obi noted that Tinubu explicitly asked for his performance to be the benchmark for his future political ambitions. “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,” Obi stated.  

Obi expressed deep concern over the timing of the President’s current international travel, contrasting the situation in Nigeria with the energy successes of his host nation. “At the same time, the President is on another foreign trip, this time to Turkey, a country of about 87 million people—roughly a third of Nigeria’s population. Yet Turkey generates and distributes over 120,000 megawatts of electricity, while Nigeria struggles with less than 5% of that capacity. The contrast is both striking and painful,” he remarked.  

The former Anambra State governor urged the President to prioritize domestic crises over diplomatic visits, suggesting that the frequency of these trips avoids the harsh realities facing citizens at home. “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,” he warned.  

Beyond the immediate energy crisis, Obi lamented that the national conversation remains disproportionately focused on the 2027 elections rather than immediate governance. He argued that the persistent failure of the power sector is a symptom of a much larger leadership problem that requires collective action from the populace.  

“And yet, our collective preoccupation seems to be the next election, rather than how to secure good governance. 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,” Obi added.

The statement serves as a reminder to the electorate to measure the current administration against its own set standards as the first term progresses. By highlighting the vast disparity between Nigeria and other nations like Turkey, Obi continues to advocate for a shift in focus toward productivity and infrastructure.