Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the federal government to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s ongoing power crisis following yet another national grid collapse, leaving Nigerians in darkness.
Posting on his X handle, Obi highlighted the frequency of grid failures, noting that since January 2024, the grid has collapsed ten times, with three incidents occurring in October alone.
Contrasting Nigeria’s power struggles with South Africa’s recent achievements, Obi stated, “Just a few days ago, on the 25th of October, South Africa, which was Africa’s second-largest economy until recently, celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply. South Africa generates about 40,000 MW of electricity, while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute just 10% of that.”
Obi criticised the tendency to frame Nigeria’s electricity issues through tribal or religious lenses, stressing, “Is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted power supply like South Africa? I am labelled a tribal bigot. When I ask if any religion enjoys special privileges in this crisis, I am called a religious bigot. But I will continue to speak the truth about our situation today.”
He urged Nigerians to set aside “primordial sentiments” and focus on electing leaders capable of advancing development goals. “The solution lies not in tribal or religious affiliations but in visionary leadership and a shared commitment to progress,” Obi stated.
He emphasised the need to prioritize investments in critical areas such as health, education, and electricity to uplift Nigerians and shift from a consumer-driven economy to a productive one.
