Tinubu, Stop Telling Nigerians Fairy Tales About Electricity
By
Rahman Owokoniran
The claim by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, that Nigerians called him to complain that their freezers were freezing too much is unbelievable, baseless as a picture of the national situation, and deeply disconnected from the reality facing millions of Nigerians.
Across the country, homes and businesses are being crippled by unreliable electricity, soaring energy costs and relentless dependence on generators.
Nigerians are being pushed into deeper darkness while struggling to keep their businesses alive and their families fed.
President Bola Tinubu promised Nigerians stable electricity during his 2023 election campaign.
His government’s own power minister has since acknowledged that many Nigerians still lack reliable electricity. Where, then, is the stable power Nigerians were promised?
NERC’s April 2026 data showed average available grid-connected generation of just 4,286MW out of 13,625MW installed capacity. These figures demand serious answers, not self-congratulation over alleged complaints about freezing food.
A government cannot declare success while citizens and businesses are being strangled by darkness and energy costs. The minister must publish verifiable evidence of improved supply, including the communities benefiting, actual supply hours and the reliability of electricity delivery.
Public office is a public trust. Where credible evidence of corruption, fraud or abuse of office emerges, the EFCC and ICPC must investigate without fear or favour.
Atiku Abubakar has advocated decentralised electricity generation, a diversified energy mix and greater private-sector participation. Rotimi Amaechi has publicly stated that an Atiku-led government would restore electricity subsidies to ease the burden of electricity bills.
Nigeria needs more than excuses and amusing anecdotes. It needs a power system that supports industries, creates jobs, protects household incomes and delivers reliable, affordable electricity.
Let Nigerians feel the light, not just hear stories about it. The people deserve results, transparency and accountability.
OWOKONIRAN WROTE FROM LAGOS
