Presidency Clarifies Tinubu’s Power Supply Remarks
The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu promised not to seek a second term if he failed to improve electricity supply in Nigeria.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, said the President’s comments during the 2023 election campaign had been taken out of context and did not amount to a commitment to forgo re-election.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Onanuga explained that Tinubu’s remarks on electricity were conditional and should be viewed within the broader context of challenges inherited by his administration.
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According to him, critics often focus on a portion of the President’s statement while ignoring other remarks made during the same address.
Onanuga said the administration had taken steps to reform the power sector since assuming office, pointing to the signing of the Electricity Act as a major achievement.
He noted that the legislation allows states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently, creating opportunities for increased competition and investment in the sector.
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The presidential aide also highlighted efforts to address the country’s metering gap, stating that the government had encouraged electricity distribution companies to provide more meters to consumers.
While acknowledging that power supply has not yet reached the level envisioned by the President, Onanuga said long-standing structural issues continue to affect the sector.
He identified gas shortages, legacy debts owed to gas suppliers and ageing transmission infrastructure as some of the challenges limiting electricity generation and distribution.
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According to him, Nigeria currently has an installed generation capacity of about 13,500 megawatts, but several constraints have prevented the country from fully utilising that capacity.
Onanuga said the administration was working to address the problems through ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening generation, transmission and distribution networks across the country.
He maintained that the government remains committed to improving electricity supply and delivering sustainable reforms in the power sector.