Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has voiced serious concerns about the ongoing power crisis in Nigeria, particularly following the recent collapse of the national grid.
This latest incident left millions of Nigerians without electricity for several hours, exacerbating an already dire situation.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Obi pointed to South Africa’s success in achieving seven months of uninterrupted power supply, contrasting it with Nigeria’s persistent power woes.
He noted, “Just a few days ago, on the 25th of October, South Africa celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply, while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute just 10% of what South Africa generates, with 40,000 MW.”
Obi highlighted the disparity in electricity supply, asking, “Is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted power supply like South Africa?”
He continued, addressing divisive sentiments, “When I ask if any religion enjoys special privileges in this crisis, I am called a religious bigot. But I will continue to speak the truth about our situation today.”
Emphasizing that power failures affect all Nigerians, Obi dismissed any notion that certain groups are benefiting more than others. “The fact remains that we are all suffering equally from this failure,” he said, urging citizens to move beyond tribal and religious divisions and focus on electing leaders who can address these critical issues.
Obi further stressed that Nigeria needs transformative leadership to address the country’s pressing challenges. He called for a shift from a consumer-driven economy to a productive one, focusing on critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.
“We must set aside these primordial sentiments and elect leaders who are competent, capable, and have the vision to transform our nation,” he urged.
Obi however reinforced the need for visionary leadership to tackle the national power crisis, lift Nigerians out of poverty, and ensure sustainable development.
