A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described President Bola Tinubu’s complaint of power outage at the Jos airport as the admission of president’s incompetence and failure to transform Nigeria’s power sector. 

During his visit to Plateau State on Thursday following the killings of over 30 residents in Angwan Rukuba in the Jos North Local Government Area on Palm Sunday, Mr Tinubu complained about the airport blackout while meeting with the families of victims and other political stakeholders in the state.

The president, who restricted his visit to the airport, spent only 10 minutes with the bereaved families and assured them of his administration’s support.

Mr Obi, in a statement on X on Saturday, stated that Mr Tinubu’s complaint of power outage highlighted his failed promises to fix the country’s epileptic power supply. 

“During the 2023 campaign, President Tinubu made a clear electoral promise: “If I don’t give you constant electricity in four years, don’t vote for me for a second term,” the politician said.

The politician, who claimed that Nigeria had a power supply of over 4,000 megawatts and lower tariffs prior to Mr Tinubu’s emergence as president, decried the current state of power across the country.

Mr Obi stated, “When he took office in 2023, Nigeria had a power supply of over 4,000 megawatts and lower tariffs. Today, the electricity power supply is less than 4,000 megawatts on the average, and Nigerians are paying higher tariffs. 

“Nigeria currently has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in the world, with a rate below 30% of the African average. Africa’s average is 617kwh, Nigeria’s is 144 kwh. This means that Nigerians consume least electricity than other Africans.”

The African Democratic Party chieftan berated the president for spending a brief insignificant time with the grieving families, noting his action constituted “a glaring display of disregard for promises and lack of trust.”

Mr Obi reiterated the need for Nigerians to embrace competent and compassionate leadership and stop politicians concerned about their comfort than the wellbeing of citizens.

“Now is the time to stop incompetent leaders—those lacking the capacity and compassion—who prioritise their own comfort over the well-being of the people and make empty promises,” the politician advised.

Meanwhile, the presidency, in a statement on Friday, said logistical and security constraints necessitated the decision by Mr Tinubu to address victims of the Angwan Rukuba attacks at the Jos airport rather than visiting the affected communities.