The article argues that repeated failures by successive Nigerian leaders to deliver reliable electricity show how broken promises have become normalised in Nigeria, turning governance lapses into a national tragedy rather than isolated political failures.
By Sonala Olumhense
Following the collapse of the national electricity grid twice within January, African Democratic Congress chieftain, Peter Obi, posted on X last week, “No Steady Power in Four Years, No Second Term – Tinubu.’”
It was a reference to presidential candidate Bola Tinubu’s promise in 2023 that if he failed to deliver constant electricity to Nigerians, he would be unworthy of re-election.
“Whichever way, by all means necessary,” he had declared in his unique drawl, “you must have electricity. And you will not pay for estimated billing anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come back for a second term, don’t vote for me. That is the truth. Unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.”
Predictably, Obi’s recall of Tinubu’s words made the national headlines, just as it did last July when the newly-formed ADC similarly reminded President Bola Tinubu of the promise.
The problem is that this is at once an inner joke for a massive tragedy. It is not an electricity issue.
Nor is it a Tinubu issue. It is a Nigerian issue that should have us all in tears because it defines Nigeria, and it is the joke that the rest of the world sees.
Keep in mind that Tinubu ended that famous address by suggesting he could offer “adequate reasons” for not keeping his promise.
A promise made, then, is not worth the words in which it is engraved.
Kicking off the Fourth Republic in 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo made the first lamentable electricity promise.
“On my honour, by the end of 2001,” he swore, “Nigerians would begin to enjoy regular, uninterrupted power supply”.
In the end, Obasanjo’s “honour” was flagged as a myth: a $16bn myth.
Every presidential hopeful since then has trodden the same abysmal path, sadly managing to leave Nigeria in deeper darkness, for far more money, at their departure or death.