Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has reminded President Bola Tinubu of his campaign promise to deliver steady electricity within four years in government, condemning plans by his administration to disconnect the Presidential Villa from the national grid and rely on solar power.
In a statement issued on his X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Mr Obi quoted Mr Tinubu’s pre-election pledge: “If I do not provide steady electricity in four years, do not vote for me for 2nd Tenure.”
Recall that in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, Mr Tinubu, then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had declared: “If I do not provide steady electricity in four years, do not vote for me for second tenure.”
However, Mr Obi noted that Mr Tinubu’s statement had inspired hope among millions of Nigerians who desired a stable power supply for their homes, businesses, and the broader economy.
He argued that more than two and a half years into the administration, Mr Tinubu’s promise remains largely unmet, with the national grid continuing to perform poorly amid persistent collapses and outages.
The former Anambra governor expressed concern over reports that billions of naira have been earmarked in recent budgets for solar installations at the Presidential Villa, including N10 billion in the 2025 budget and additional allocations in 2026 for upgrades and maintenance, alongside plans to disconnect the Villa entirely from the national grid.
“Yet, while Nigerians are still grappling with that unfulfilled, categorical electoral promise—and without clear communication on the obstacles, if any—we read of provision in the 2025 budget about the N10 billion for solar power at Aso Rock, and in the 2026 budget another humongous amount for upgrade and maintenance, and now we are being scarcely told that the Presidential Villa has planned to be disconnected from the national grid to rely entirely on solar,” the opposition leader said.
According to Mr Obi, it is troubling that the seat of power would abandon the same electricity system ordinary Nigerians depend on.
“It is a gross neglect and deeply worrisome when the seat of power abandons the national grid. One would expect government institutions to lead efforts to strengthen and expand the grid so that other establishments, and ultimately, citizens, can benefit,” he said.
The opposition leader added, “If those in authority disconnect themselves from the system, who then will connect the ordinary Nigerian to reliable power?”
While acknowledging that renewable energy solutions like solar power are important for the country’s future, Mr Obi said the move sends the wrong signal about leadership and accountability.
He added that although citizens may not expect every campaign promise to be fulfilled completely, they deserve visible effort, measurable progress, and transparent explanations when targets are not met.
“Promoting renewable energy, as solar systems do, is commendable and necessary for the future. However, this situation reflects a deeper concern: governance lacking compassion and commitment to the governed. You cannot tell the people to fast while feasting yourself, securing yourself while Nigerians remain unsecured.
“Nigerians do not expect 100% fulfilment of promises, but they do expect 100% effort, accompanied by measurable improvements and clear explanations when gaps exist. Leadership must serve the people, not isolate itself from their daily struggles,” he added.
Last year, the federal government led by Mr Tinubu commenced the construction of a N10 billion solar mini-grid project to power the Aso Rock, a development that shows both a shift towards renewable energy and a deepening lack of confidence in Nigeria’s ailing national electricity grid.
The move, which sparked harsh reaction and condemnation, comes at a time when stakeholders are raising concerns over the state of Nigeria’s electricity amid complete power outages and epileptic supply in major cities of the country.
Although the presidency had defended the controversial N10 billion solar power project for the Aso Rock, citing global best practices, including the use of solar energy at the White House in Washington D.C., United States, criticism persists.
The presidency has defended the controversial N10 billion solar power project proposed for the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, citing global best practices, including the use of solar energy at the White House in Washington D.C., United States.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had said that the Nigerian presidency was only following in the footsteps of developed nations in transitioning to renewable energy after sharing a video clip of solar panels installed at the White House in the U.S.