Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as persistent failures in Nigeria’s electricity sector, highlighting repeated national grid collapses and raising concerns about the government’s failure to fulfill earlier campaign commitments.
In a statement shared on his verified X account on January 28, 2026, Obi reminded Nigerians of a pledge Tinubu made during the 2022 presidential campaign, in which he promised that if he failed to deliver “steady electricity in my first four years,” Nigerians should not vote for him for a second term. Obi argued that the ongoing pattern of grid failures contradicts that promise and represents a matter of national concern.
Obi noted that the national grid collapsed twice in January 2026 alone, with the month not yet over, and recalled that in 2025 the grid collapsed roughly 12 times. He described these incidents as clear evidence that the promise of steady electricity has yet to be met.
Recent reports confirm that Nigeria’s national power grid experienced at least two system failures in January 2026, including one incident that occurred just four days after the previous collapse. Transmission monitoring data show sharp drops in generation that left electricity distribution companies with zero load allocation, resulting in widespread outages across multiple states.
Operational challenges included transmission line tripping and voltage disturbances at major substations. On January 27, 2026, the grid collapsed around midday, cutting power to several distribution networks before restoration efforts began.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), responsible for managing the grid, described one incident as a “voltage disturbance” originating from a transmission substation. The body added that corrective measures were implemented, and supply was eventually restored.
During his campaign ahead of the 2023 elections, President Tinubu made improving electricity supply a central focus, promising Nigerians more reliable and stable power within his first four years. He emphasized that the lack of steady electricity should influence voters’ decisions on his potential second term. Critics and opposition figures, including civil society voices, have consistently cited this pledge as a benchmark for evaluating performance.
Obi reiterated this commitment in his statement, arguing that repeated grid collapses erode public confidence in the electricity sector’s reforms and service delivery. He also compared Nigeria’s situation with countries like Turkey, which he said produces and distributes far larger volumes of electricity relative to its population and infrastructure capacity.
Frequent outages and grid failures have wide-ranging consequences for Nigeria’s economy and daily life. Businesses rely on stable electricity for production and services, while households incur higher costs using alternative sources such as generators. Industry groups, including the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have warned that recurring outages drive up operating expenses for manufacturers and MSMEs, undermining investor confidence.
Experts attribute grid instability to operational weaknesses in the transmission network, insufficient infrastructure maintenance, and a mismatch between power generation and distribution capacity. Despite government initiatives aimed at attracting investment and reforming sector management, the persistence of grid failures highlights ongoing challenges.
In his statement, Obi urged Nigerians to demand accountability and responsible leadership. He stressed that addressing core domestic issues, such as electricity, should take priority over political ambitions. He encouraged citizens to hold leaders to their campaign promises as part of active democratic engagement.
The repeated collapses of the national grid have reignited discussions about power sector reform, infrastructure sustainability, and strategic planning, with stakeholders calling for comprehensive solutions to stabilize electricity supply and reduce the economic impact of outages.
