Makinde tells Tinubu to explain his promise on electricity

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is running for president under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has asked President Bola Tinubu to explain his promise on electricity as he campaigns for another term.

Makinde said Tinubu should not be looking for a second term if Nigeria's electricity issues are not solved. He reminded everyone about a promise the President made during his 2023 campaign.

“He (Tinubu) said if electricity is not fixed, we should not vote for him for a second term,” Makinde said.

The governor spoke on Monday at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. He also defended his administration's choice to use diesel-powered generators for some streetlights.

Makinde explained that using generators was necessary because the national grid is not reliable. He said a more consistent electricity supply would mean state governments would not have to spend money on diesel to keep public services running.

“If he had fixed the electricity problem, we wouldn’t be buying diesel for our generators or powering streetlights,” he stated.

His criticism focused on Tinubu's management of the electricity sector and the President’s earlier promise to improve power supply. While PREMIUM TIMES confirmed that Tinubu promised to enhance electricity supply in Nigeria, there are different views on whether he clearly stated Nigerians should not vote for him again if the power problem remains.

Makinde and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), believe Tinubu's statement means he should not seek a second term if he does not solve the electricity issue.

In June, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disputed this interpretation. He said the President’s words were conditional, arguing that critics ignored his point that Tinubu should not be denied a second term if he could give “adequate reasons” for failing to keep his promise.

The presidency has also shared a fuller version of Tinubu’s 2023 campaign statement. Meanwhile, the federal government insists that the Tinubu administration is working to fix long-standing issues in the electricity sector.

In July, the Ministry of Power announced new plans for investment to stabilize the national grid, saying that grid stability is key to improving electricity supply.

The ministry has also pointed out ongoing efforts in generation, transmission, and distribution. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission said the country has reached its highest generation levels amid reforms in the sector.

But for Makinde, the ongoing reliance on alternative electricity sources shows that the problem persists. He said the President should be judged by the standards he set for himself during the 2023 campaign.

Makinde is one of many opposition leaders preparing for the 2027 presidential election, with the electricity crisis becoming a major issue against the Tinubu administration.