Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has voiced his concern over Nigeria’s ongoing power crisis. Recently, the country was once again thrown into darkness after the national grid collapsed on Tuesday, with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reporting that a combination of line failures and generator trips caused the blackout. This was the second such incident in less than a month.

Obi highlighted that the collapse of the national grid has now become a regular occurrence, which is deeply troubling for the country. He compared Nigeria’s energy situation to that of South Africa, which, despite having a much smaller population, celebrated seven months of consistent power supply. Obi pointed out that South Africa generates and distributes 40,000 MW of electricity, while Nigeria struggles to manage just 10% of that amount.

The former Anambra governor expressed frustration that, despite these challenges, Nigerians continue to endure daily power outages. He also noted that when he raises questions about whether any tribe or religion in Nigeria benefits from uninterrupted power supply, he is unfairly labeled as divisive. Obi emphasized that the power crisis affects all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

Obi believes the solution lies in electing leaders who are competent, visionary, and focused on transforming the country. He urged Nigerians to set aside tribal and religious sentiments and vote for leaders who will prioritize critical areas such as energy, healthcare, and education to drive the country’s progress. According to Obi, only through wise leadership and investments in these sectors can Nigeria overcome its power crisis and improve the quality of life for all citizens.