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2026: The Collapse Continues — Peter Obi Reacts as National Grid Collapses Again
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has reacted strongly to the latest collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, describing it as a continuation of a long-standing national failure and a symbol of deep-rooted leadership deficiencies.
In a statement shared on Sunday, Obi recalled that the first grid collapse of 2025 occurred in January, followed by several others within the year. He noted that January 2026 has now opened with yet another collapse, calling it a “national shame.”
According to Obi, Nigeria has, for three consecutive years (2023–2025), been ranked among countries with the lowest access to electricity globally, leaving nearly 100 million citizens without power.
He contrasted Nigeria’s power output with that of other African nations, highlighting what he described as a glaring and unacceptable disparity.
South Africa, with a population of about 64 million, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts of electricity. Egypt, with approximately 115 million people, also produces over 40,000 megawatts, while Algeria, with around 48 million citizens, generates more than 50,000 megawatts.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with over 240 million people, produces just about 5,000 megawatts, a figure Obi described as “absurdly low” and a major obstacle to national productivity and economic growth.
Obi attributed the persistent power crisis to continuous leadership failure, stressing that the electricity sector is too critical to be managed without competence, commitment, and vision.
Looking ahead to 2027, Obi urged Nigerians to prioritise competence and empathy in leadership, insisting that only leaders with the right capacity and dedication can drive a meaningful turnaround in the country’s fortunes.
“A new Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded.
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