Labour Party leader recalls President’s power sector promises
The former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the persistent instability of the nation’s power sector following the latest collapse of the national grid.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Obi took a swipe at the administration of President Bola Tinubu, reminding Nigerians of the lofty promises made by the current government regarding electricity. This reaction comes barely 24 hours after the grid suffered its second total system failure in just five days, plunging the entire country into a massive blackout.
Obi lamented that despite the “Renewed Hope” agenda, the electricity situation has continued to deteriorate, leaving businesses and households in perpetual darkness. He recalled that during the 2023 campaign, the current leadership promised to move Nigeria from a state of constant power failure to a regime of stable and affordable energy. “We were told that the grid collapses would be a thing of the past, yet here we are in 2026, witnessing the same old stories of technical glitches and system disturbances,” he stated.
The former Anambra State Governor noted that the frequency of these failures is a clear indication of a lack of a comprehensive roadmap for the power sector. He argued that no nation can achieve industrialization or a trillion-dollar economy when its primary source of energy is as “fragile and unreliable” as the Nigerian grid. Obi emphasized that the current approach of “throwing money at the problem” without addressing the fundamental structural issues of transmission and distribution is not working.
Recurring blackouts threaten national economic growth
The impact of the recent grid collapses has been felt most acutely by small and medium-scale enterprises that rely on a steady power supply to survive. Peter Obi highlighted that the rising cost of petrol and diesel, which are used to power private generators, has made it nearly impossible for local manufacturers to remain competitive. He noted that the “National” economy is bleeding billions of naira every hour the grid remains down, further exacerbating the inflation crisis.
According to recent data, the national grid has collapsed over 15 times in the last twelve months, a statistic that Obi described as “shameful and unacceptable.” He questioned why the government has failed to decentralize the power sector effectively to allow states and private investors to generate and distribute their own electricity. The Labour Party leader argued that the current centralized model is a relic of the past that continues to hold the nation’s potential hostage.
The politician also drew attention to the “huge debts” owed to Gas supply companies, which have frequently threatened to shut down production due to non-payment. He insisted that without a transparent and accountable management of the power sector’s finances, the cycle of darkness will never end. Obi called on the Federal Government to stop the “propaganda” and provide a realistic timeline for when Nigerians can expect a stable power supply.
Calls for immediate reforms in the energy sector
In his concluding remarks, Peter Obi urged the Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to be more transparent about the root causes of the grid failures. He suggested that the government should look toward sustainable and renewable energy sources to supplement the national grid. By diversifying the energy mix, Obi believes Nigeria can reduce its over-reliance on a single, vulnerable transmission network that is prone to both technical errors and vandalism.
The “Joy-Giver” of the Labour Party concluded that the people are tired of excuses and want to see “tangible results” that reflect the taxes they pay. He reminded the ruling party that electricity is the lifeblood of any modern society and its absence is a direct threat to national security. As the world moves toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Obi warned that Nigeria risks being left behind if it cannot solve its basic energy needs.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the TCN has reported that restoration efforts are nearing completion in major cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt. However, the skepticism shared by Obi and many other Nigerians remains high, as the “ghost of past failures” continues to haunt the power sector. The coming weeks will reveal if the government will heed these calls for reform or if the nation will continue to grope in the dark.
