Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has launched a scathing critique of the federal government’s N10 billion plan to disconnect the Presidential Villa from the national grid in favor of a solar mini-grid. In a series of statements issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Obi described the move as a “gross neglect of national priorities” and a “startling admission of failure” by the current administration to fix the country’s ailing power sector.
Obi’s remarks come as Nigeria grapples with the first major national grid collapses of 2026, which left millions of citizens and businesses in total darkness last week. The former Anambra State governor reminded President Bola Tinubu of his categorical campaign promise to deliver steady electricity within four years, noting that after more than two and a half years in office, the administration appears to be “insulating itself” from the very crisis it was elected to resolve.
The N10 billion allocation, first introduced in the 2025 budget and supplemented by maintenance funds in the 2026 budget, has been defended by the Presidency. Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga recently cited “global best practices,” comparing the project to solar installations at the White House. However, Obi dismissed this comparison, arguing that while renewable energy is commendable, it should not serve as an escape hatch for leaders while the rest of the nation remains trapped in a failing energy system.
“It is deeply worrisome when the seat of power abandons the national grid that ordinary Nigerians depend on,” Obi stated. He pointed out the stark disparity between Nigeria’s 5,000-megawatt output for over 200 million people and the 40,000 to 50,000 megawatts produced by smaller African nations like South Africa and Egypt. Obi emphasized that the N10 billion earmarked for the Villa’s comfort could have been better utilized to stabilize portions of the national grid or provide decentralized solar solutions to thousands of small businesses struggling with exorbitant fuel costs.
This debate highlights the growing disconnect between the ruling elite and the lived reality of the populace. As the administration continues to push for self-sufficiency at Aso Rock, the opposition warns that such “energy apartheid” further erodes public confidence in the government’s ability to manage the nation’s critical infrastructure.
