Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections Peter Obi, has expressed deep frustration over the ongoing crisis.
Obi highlighted that the prolonged blackouts, particularly severe in Northern states, have dealt a crippling blow to countless businesses, many of which depend heavily on a reliable public power supply.
“This power crisis, combined with the current high cost of petroleum products and the challenging economic environment, is a devastating mix leading to widespread business failures and increased poverty across Nigeria,” Obi stated. The lack of power has severely impacted small businesses, which form the backbone of the Nigerian economy and serve as a primary source of income for millions of Nigerians.
Emphasizing that Nigeria’s power challenges are “not rocket science,” Obi pointed to countries like Egypt, which have achieved remarkable advancements in power infrastructure. He noted that Egypt’s aggressive investment in power stations has transformed the country’s energy landscape, now providing reliable electricity to millions of small businesses that drive over 80 percent of Egypt’s GDP.
Obi urged the Nigerian government to implement both immediate and long-term solutions to address the crisis and relieve citizens facing these “tough times.” He concluded with a call for leadership to pursue viable power reforms, asserting that “a New Nigeria is Possible” if reliable electricity can be provided to fuel economic growth and stability across the nation.
