Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has condemned the recent collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, labeling it a “national shame” and indicative of the country’s leadership failures. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Obi underscored the vulnerability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure, asserting that the recurring blackouts highlight the government’s failure to meet a critical need for its citizens.

“For the umpteenth time, the national grid has collapsed, plunging a huge part of the nation into darkness and exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure,” he stated. Obi lamented that this incident serves as a stark reminder of persistent failures in leadership and policy implementation. He questioned, “How long must Nigerians endure a system that fails to provide one of the critical necessities for a productive society?”

The former Anambra governor emphasized the necessity of reliable power for economic growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which he referred to as the engine of job creation and a vital contributor to Nigeria’s GDP. Comparing Nigeria’s electricity generation to that of other African nations, Obi pointed out that countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria produce significantly more power despite having smaller populations.

“South Africa, with a population much smaller than ours and a GDP of $400 billion, generates over 40,000 megawatts of electricity. Egypt, with a GDP of $350 billion, also produces over 40,000 megawatts, and Algeria generates over 50,000 megawatts,” Obi explained. “In contrast, Nigeria, with a larger population but a smaller GDP, generates less than 10,000 megawatts, plagued by frequent collapses.”

Obi argued that the disparity in power generation illustrates a governance deficit that undermines Nigeria’s potential. He called for urgent reforms in the power sector, urging the government to prioritize measurable development indicators for the welfare of its citizens.

This latest collapse marks the national electricity grid’s seventh failure this year, following an earlier breakdown on October 14. Previous shutdowns occurred on February 4, March 28, April 15, July 6, and August 5, resulting in widespread blackouts across the country.