Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, has accused Peter Obi of misunderstanding Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Onanuga spoke during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday.
Obi, in his acceptance speech as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), promised to increase Nigeria’s power generation, transmission, and distribution to at least 10,000 megawatts.
Defends Tinubu’s power reforms
The presidential spokesman said Tinubu demonstrated commitment to power sector reforms immediately after taking office.
According to him, the president signed the Electricity Act to decentralise electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
“To show that he meant business, the first thing he did when he came to office was sign the Electricity Act,” he said.
The law allows states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently.
Furthermore, Onanuga said the reform has opened the sector to greater competition.
He added that several states have already begun taking advantage of the new framework.
‘Obi did not understand the problem’
Meanwhile, Onanuga criticised Obi’s comments on electricity generation.
He said the former Anambra governor failed to understand Nigeria’s existing power infrastructure.
“What people don’t know, and which unfortunately Peter did not know, is that Nigeria already has an installed capacity of 13,500 megawatts,” he said.
According to him, the country’s challenge is not installed capacity but generation constraints.
Lists challenges facing sector
In addition, Onanuga identified gas shortages, legacy debts and weak transmission infrastructure as major obstacles.
He said operators in the sector owe gas suppliers trillions of naira.
He also noted that transmission facilities remain outdated.
“No gas. Legacy debt of over N4 trillion. And the transmission grid is outdated,” he said.
According to him, the Tinubu administration is addressing those challenges through ongoing reforms.
Defends solar installations
Onanuga also defended the government’s decision to install solar power systems in public institutions.
He described solar energy as a backup source of electricity.
Furthermore, he said the federal government is expanding solar projects beyond government facilities.
“The government is helping ordinary people too,” he said.
“Under the Rural Electrification Agency, solar power is being installed in universities, medical institutions, markets and many other places.”
