Naija247news gathered that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s persistent power challenges, stating that the country struggles to generate and distribute just 10 percent of the electricity South Africa produces. Despite this, Obi highlighted that Nigerians continue to endure crippling power outages.
The power situation took a dramatic turn on Tuesday with the collapse of the national grid, leading to a nationwide blackout. Naija247news understands that this marks the ninth instance of a major power disruption in Nigeria in 2024 alone, further underscoring the nation’s energy crisis.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Obi drew a comparison with South Africa, noting that while Nigeria’s power generation hovers below 5,000 megawatts (MW), South Africa generates and distributes approximately 40,000 MW. According to Naija247news, Obi emphasized that South Africa, which once ranked second to Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa, recently celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply, an achievement that remains out of reach for Nigeria.
“Again, yesterday the now regular news came that the National Grid had collapsed once again,” Obi stated. He expressed frustration at Nigeria’s struggles to meet even a fraction of South Africa’s energy capacity, despite the fact that South Africa’s population is roughly a quarter of Nigeria’s. Naija247news understands that Obi called this disparity a “stark reality” that impacts every Nigerian equally.
Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, went on to say that Nigeria’s issues with electricity are not bound by tribe or religion. “When I ask the question: is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted power supply like South Africa? I am labelled a tribal bigot,” he remarked. “The fact remains that we are all suffering equally from this failure. The solution lies not in tribal or religious affiliations but in visionary leadership and a shared commitment to progress.”
According to Naija247news, Obi argued that overcoming Nigeria’s power crisis requires leaders who are competent, capable, and driven by a transformative vision. He highlighted the need to shift Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a productive one, focusing investments on crucial sectors such as health, education, and energy to drive sustainable development.
Naija247news understands that Obi’s comments have sparked renewed conversations about Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the urgent need for reforms. As Nigerians grapple with yet another wave of outages, Obi’s call for visionary leadership serves as a stark reminder of the work required to achieve stable electricity across the nation.
Agnes Ekebuike Editor, Naija247news ✔
Agnes Ekebuike is the Editor of Naija247news.com. A seasoned journalist with expertise in Business, Energy, Politics, and Entertainment, she is known for her in-depth reporting and insightful storytelling. Agnes is passionate about delivering news that informs, empowers, and sparks meaningful dialogue across Nigeria and beyond.
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