Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga has criticised the promise made by Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), to add at least 10,000 megawatts to Nigeria’s electricity supply within four years.
Onanuga stated that Nigeria already possesses an installed generation capacity of 13,500 megawatts.
He argued that the former Anambra governor does not understand the true challenges in the power sector.
The spokesman made is known during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday June 24, 2026. He explained that the main problems are not in generation capacity but in structural issues. These include inadequate gas supply, legacy debts of over N4 trillion owed to gas suppliers, and an outdated national grid.
“Successive governments face these bottlenecks, which prevent full use of the installed capacity,” Onanuga said.
He noted that many power plants do not operate at full potential because of these constraints.
The spokesman highlighted steps taken by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Soon after taking office, the president signed the Electricity Act. This law allows states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.
Several states now take advantage of the new law, and more plan to do so. This reform opens the sector to greater competition.
Onanuga added that power generation increased since May 2023. He also mentioned plans to create the Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) to improve hydropower facilities and modernise the transmission infrastructure.
Obi made his pledge days earlier. It renewed discussions about Nigeria’s long-standing power problems.
While the government points to ongoing reforms, many critics say ordinary Nigerians still do not see clear improvements in electricity supply.
