The Presidency has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu promised to deliver 24-hour electricity to Nigerians during the 2023 presidential election campaign, accusing Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi of misrepresenting the President’s campaign remarks.

The clarification was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued on Monday while responding to Obi’s criticism of the Tinubu administration over the country’s economic, security and power challenges.

Ejes Gist News reports that Obi had urged President Tinubu to emulate what he described as accountability in leadership by stepping down from office amid growing public concerns over insecurity, economic hardship and inadequate electricity supply.

Also Read: Tears, Emotion as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns – Details Inside

As part of his criticism, Obi alleged that Tinubu promised Nigerians uninterrupted electricity during the 2023 electioneering campaign and told voters not to return him to office if he failed to fulfil that pledge.

Reacting to the claim, Onanuga said the President never guaranteed 24-hour electricity for all Nigerians and accused Obi and his supporters of repeatedly distorting the context of Tinubu’s campaign speech.

According to the presidential spokesman, the statement being referenced was made during a campaign engagement in Lagos and centred on ending estimated billing practices rather than a nationwide commitment to round-the-clock electricity supply.

“Concerning President Tinubu’s campaign promises on power supply, it is misleading for Peter Obi to parrot the claim that candidate Tinubu guaranteed 24-hour electricity for all,” Onanuga said.

 

What Did Tinubu Actually Say?

Here is the full quote from Tinubu’s 2023 campaign speech in Lagos, as provided by Onanuga:

He added that what Tinubu actually told supporters was: “Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me—unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.”

Onanuga maintained that the statement has been consistently quoted out of context by political opponents seeking to portray the President as having failed to meet a promise he never made.

The presidential aide also defended the administration’s performance in the power sector, pointing to reforms introduced since Tinubu assumed office.

According to him, the government has implemented the Electricity Act, expanded the deployment of prepaid meters and promoted investments in alternative energy sources as part of broader efforts to improve electricity supply across the country.

The Presidency said the ongoing reforms are aimed at strengthening the power sector, improving access to electricity and addressing long-standing challenges associated with estimated billing and energy distribution.

 

Ejes Gist News Verdict

The debate over Tinubu’s 24-hour electricity promise continues to rage, with the presidency now clarifying that the promise was made specifically to Lagosians and not to all Nigerians.

Peter Obi’s call for Tinubu to resign has added fuel to the fire, with both sides trading accusations over the interpretation of the former Lagos governor’s campaign words.

As the 2027 elections approach, the issue of campaign promises and accountability is likely to remain a key talking point in Nigeria’s political discourse.

What do you think?
Did Tinubu promise 24-hour electricity to all Nigerians or only to Lagosians? Should he resign like Keir Starmer? Drop your opinion in the comments below. Let’s gist!