Peter Obi reversed his comments on the national grid collapse after backlash. He clarified that the issue was due to tripping power lines, not a collapse. Obi commended TCN's clarification and called for improved infrastructure to meet Nigeria's power needs.
Peter Obi, former presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, recently changed his position after a controversial comment regarding the national grid collapse in Nigeria. Obi had initially criticized the power sector, noting the 12 reported grid failures in 2024, which he claimed caused significant hardships for Nigerians. He highlighted how these recurrent issues, despite billions of dollars spent to address them, were damaging the nation’s economy and daily life.
His remarks, made on X (formerly Twitter), drew criticism from some Nigerians who felt Obi had not fact-checked his claims before making them public. Responding to the backlash, Obi issued a follow-up statement clarifying his position. He explained that his initial comments were based on reports from media outlets, but he had since been informed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) that there had been no collapse. Instead, the disruption was due to the tripping of the Osogbo-Ihovbor and Benin-Omotosho power lines, which affected electricity distribution, particularly in the Lagos region.
Obi acknowledged the role of TCN in providing the necessary clarification, and in his updated statement, he expressed his hope that Nigeria would prioritize the improvement of its power infrastructure. He stressed the need for continued investment to address the nation’s energy challenges, ensuring that the growing population’s needs are met efficiently.
