PDP Aspirant Scores Tinubu Low On Electricity

A data scientist and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Buhari Omolori Sani, has said President Bola Tinubu’s re-election will be judged by how many of his campaign promises he delivers

Sani, who contested the PDP primaries for the House of Representatives to represent Okene, Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the National Assembly, said campaign promises are ultimately judged by results.

He said a promise acquires meaning only when it is translated into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.

According to him, one of the defining commitments of Tinubu’s presidential campaign was the pledge to deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians.

He said in an open letter to Tinubu, at a time of persistent power shortages, rising energy costs, and widespread frustration with the power sector, that promise offered hope.

Sani said, “You went further by inviting Nigerians to hold you accountable, stating that if you failed to achieve this objective, Nigerians should not vote for you again. Three years later, that promise remains one of the most important tests of your administration.

“Electricity is more than an infrastructure challenge. It is the foundation upon which modern economies are built. It powers industries, supports healthcare and education, drives investment, and improves citizens’ quality of life. No nation has achieved sustainable industrial growth while operating in darkness.

“While reforms have been initiated across segments of the electricity value chain, many Nigerians continue to experience unreliable power supply, making it necessary to assess whether these efforts are translating into measurable improvements for households and businesses.

“Nigeria continues to face significant electricity challenges. Despite an installed generation capacity of approximately 13,625 megawatts, a substantial portion of that capacity remains unavailable to consumers. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s January 2026 Operational Performance Factsheet, grid-connected power plants recorded a Plant Availability Factor of 36 per cent, with average available generation of approximately 4,901 megawatts and average dispatched generation of about 4,421 megawatts. These figures suggest that Nigeria continues to operate well below its installed generation capacity despite ongoing reforms in the sector.

“Millions of Nigerians still depend on generators and alternative energy sources, raising an important question: what measurable progress has been made toward the reliable electricity you promised?

“For households, unreliable electricity means higher living costs and reduced quality of life. For businesses, it means higher operating expenses, lower productivity, and reduced competitiveness. For the nation, it represents a significant constraint on economic growth, industrial development, and job creation.

“I recall sharing your promise with residents of Apamauru near Obajana and Apamira in Ajaokuta Local Government Area. They listened with hope. Today, many still ask: ‘Will we ever have electricity like other Nigerians?’ Their question reflects the frustration of countless communities across Nigeria that continue to live in the shadow of major national assets while lacking one of the most basic requirements for development,” he said.