Obi: Nigeria grappling with power outages despite unable to generate 10% of S’Africa’s electricity

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says Nigeria is struggling to generate and distribute 10 percent of electricity produced in South Africa, yet Nigerians continue to endure daily power outages.

The national grid collapsed on Tuesday, resulting in a nationwide blackout.

Nigerians have experienced power outages nine times in 2024.

In a post via X on Wednesday, Obi said South Africa, which used to be the second-largest economy in Africa behind Nigeria, generates and distributes about 40,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Nigeria generates below 5,000 MW.

According to the former governor of Anambra state, South Africa recently celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply.

He said solving Nigeria’s power crisis requires visionary leadership.

“Again, yesterday the now regular news came that the National Grid had collapsed once again,” he wrote.

“Just a few days ago, on the 25th of October, South Africa that was the second-largest economy in Africa behind Nigeria until recently, with a quarter of our population, celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply.

“South Africa generates and distributes about 40,000 MW of electricity, while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute just 10% of that. Yet, despite this stark disparity, Nigerians continue to endure daily power outages.

“And 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.

“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.

“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.”

He said Nigerians must move beyond old divisions and elect leaders who are competent, capable and have the vision to transform the country from a consumption-based economy to a productive one.

Obi suggested investing Nigeria’s limited resources in critical areas like health and education, alleviating poverty, and ensuring increased electricity production and distribution.