Peter Obi: Repeated Power Grid Failures Are a National Disgrace

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has voiced serious concern regarding the recent collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, which has plunged large portions of the country into darkness yet again.

The grid reportedly failed on Monday evening at approximately 6:18 PM, leading to widespread power outages. Investigations indicated that electricity generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 PM to 3.56 GW by 6 PM, and eventually fell to 0.00 GW by 7 PM, continuing through the night. The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) confirmed the grid collapse in a statement issued later that evening.

In response to the incident, Peter Obi condemned the situation in a statement on Tuesday via X, labeling it a national embarrassment. He identified the grid failure as a clear indication of ineffective leadership and poor policy execution at the highest levels of government.

“For the umpteenth time, the national grid has collapsed, plunging a significant part of the nation into darkness and revealing the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure. This recurring disaster is a national shame and a glaring testament to the failure of leadership and policy implementation,” Obi stated.

He emphasized that these repeated power system failures are major obstacles to the nation’s growth and economic stability. “How long must Nigerians endure a system that fails to provide one of the critical necessities for a productive society?” he asked.

“This latest power grid collapse is emblematic of a government that has consistently failed to prioritize the welfare and economic well-being of the people. The importance of a stable power supply to the transformation of our economy cannot be overstated. It is vital for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are essential for job creation and contribute significantly to our GDP.”

Obi further criticized the disparity between Nigeria’s power generation capacity and that of other African nations, pointing out the contrasts with countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria.

“Today, we find ourselves as the fourth largest economy in Africa, having fallen from the top position due to years of leadership failures, including the ongoing power crisis. The gap in power generation capacity reflects a deep-rooted governance deficit that continues to hinder our growth and potential,” he stated, noting that Nigeria, despite having a larger population, generates significantly less electricity than smaller economies.

He called for urgent and comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s power sector and urged the government to prioritize initiatives that can drive measurable development. “Nigerians deserve a government that focuses on tangible indices of development,” he concluded.