As the seat of the Nigerian government starts operating independently of public power supply by next month, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the abandonment of the national grid by President Bola Tinubu, calling it a “gross neglect” and a failure to lead by example.
TopSociety reports that amid repeated collapses of the national grid, the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to transition the Aso Villa presidential complex to an independent solar power system.
The State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, disclosed this on Wednesday while defending the 2026 budget proposal of the State House before the Senate Committee on Special Duties at the National Assembly.
Fashedemi expressed confidence that the testing phase would soon give way to a full migration from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), stressing that the shift is expected to significantly reduce the cost of running the Presidential Villa. “We are hopeful that by March we will be able to effect a full cutover,” he told lawmakers.
Expressing his concerns on his X page, Obi highlighted the unfulfilled promise of steady electricity during the current administration.
Obi recalled Tinubu’s own pledge during electioneering for the 2023 polls: “If I do not provide steady electricity in four years, do not vote for me for a second term.”
He expressed disappointment that, more than two and a half years into the administration, Nigerians are still grappling with unreliable electricity supply, while reports indicate that the Presidential Villa plans to disconnect from the national grid to rely entirely on solar power.
He pointed out that previous budgets — N10 billion allocated for solar at Aso Rock in 2025, and another substantial sum in 2026 for grid upgrades — have yet to translate into stable electricity for citizens. “One would expect government institutions to lead efforts to strengthen and expand the grid so that other establishments, and ultimately, citizens can benefit,” Obi wrote.
While commending the promotion of renewable energy, Obi warned that such a move by the seat of power risks sending the wrong message: governance “lacking compassion and commitment to the governed.” He harped on the need for the leadership to serve the people, and not sequester itself from the daily struggles of the masses.
The former Anambra governor maintained that while Nigerians do not expect 100 per cent fulfillment of promises, they do expect measurable efforts and transparency in addressing gaps.
“You cannot tell the people to fast while feasting yourself, securing yourself while Nigerians remain unsecured,” he asserted.
