Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, following reports that the Aso Rock may soon rely fully on solar power instead of the national grid.
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, Obi described the development as a troubling signal about leadership priorities, arguing that it contradicts Tinubu’s campaign promise during the 2023 elections to deliver stable electricity within four years.
During that campaign, the president had pledged that Nigerians should deny him a second term if he failed to provide steady power supply.
Obi, however, said that nearly three years into the administration, the situation appears to be worsening rather than improving. He pointed to reports that the federal government earmarked about ₦10 billion in the 2025 budget for solar installations at the Presidential Villa, alongside additional allocations in the proposed 2026 budget for upgrades and maintenance.
According to him, the plan for the seat of power to abandon the national grid sends the wrong message at a time when millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with erratic electricity supply.
He argued that government institutions should be leading efforts to strengthen the grid rather than appearing to distance themselves from it.
Obi also acknowledged that investment in renewable energy is necessary and commendable but stressed that the core issue is public accountability and leadership empathy.
He noted that while citizens understand the difficulties of governance, they expect visible effort, measurable progress, and clear communication when promises fall short.
The former governor warned that if those in authority detach themselves from the country’s infrastructure challenges, it raises concerns about who will champion lasting solutions for ordinary Nigerians.
As of the time of this report, the Presidency had not issued an official response to Obi’s remarks.
