Peter Obi Condemns Latest Power Grid Collapse, Demands Urgent Reform

Abuja, Nigeria –  Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections and former governor of Anambra State, has issued a scathing condemnation of the latest national grid collapse, which plunged a significant portion of Nigeria into darkness.

In a statement posted to his X handle, Obi described the recurring power outages as a “national shame” and a “glaring testament to the failure of leadership and policy implementation at the highest levels.”

Obi lamented the ongoing power crisis, highlighting its detrimental impact on economic growth, job creation, and the welfare of the Nigerian people.

He emphasised the critical role of a stable power supply in supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which he described as “the engine of job creation and a major contributor to our GDP.”

Drawing a stark comparison to other African nations, Obi pointed out that Nigeria, despite being the fourth largest economy in Africa, generates and distributes less than 10,000 megawatts of electricity – significantly less than countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria, each with a smaller population and generating far more power.

“This disparity in power generation is a reflection of the deep-rooted governance deficit that continues to hold back our growth and potential,” Obi stated, underscoring the need for immediate and comprehensive reform.

Obi’s statement concluded with a call for a new Nigeria, where the government prioritizes measurable development indices.

“Nigerians deserve a government that prioritises measurable indices of development. A new Nigeria is POssible,” he asserted, ending with his signature slogan, “PO.”

Obi’s statement has triggered widespread discussion on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their frustration and echoing his calls for urgent solutions to the persistent power crisis.

Analysts see Obi’s statement as a direct criticism of the incumbent government’s handling of the power sector, which has been plagued by chronic problems for decades.

They speculate that the issue could become a central campaign topic in the upcoming elections, with both the opposition and the ruling party likely to focus heavily on their respective plans for addressing the power crisis.