Arise News journalist and broadcaster Rufai Oseni has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its promises to improve electricity supply in Nigeria, arguing that political leaders should be honest with citizens when they fail to deliver on their commitments.
Reacting to the party's electricity-related promises, Oseni stressed that admitting failure and returning to the drawing board to find practical solutions would be more responsible than making promises that remain unfulfilled.
“The best thing to do when you make a promise and fail to deliver is to admit it. Simply say, ‘We couldn’t achieve it. Let’s go back to the drawing board and find a solution,’” Oseni said.
His remarks have renewed attention on one of Nigeria's most persistent governance challenges: the inability to guarantee stable and affordable electricity for households, businesses and industries.
The criticism comes amid renewed political debate over President Bola Tinubu's 2023 campaign commitments on electricity. During the campaign, Tinubu promised Nigerians that they would have electricity and would no longer have to contend with estimated billing. He also said voters should not re-elect him if he failed to fulfil the promise without providing adequate explanations. Premium Times Nigeria +1
The issue has become particularly significant as Nigerians continue to grapple with inconsistent electricity supply, rising energy costs and the additional financial burden of running generators and alternative power systems.
Electricity crisis remains a major challenge
Available industry figures illustrate the scale of the problem. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria's 28 grid-connected power plants operated at just 31 per cent of their installed capacity in April 2026. Average available generation was approximately 4,286 megawatts against installed capacity of 13,625 megawatts. NERC
Reuters also reported in February 2026 that gas deliveries to Nigerian power plants had fallen to just 43 per cent of their required volumes, contributing to a decline in electricity generation and forcing operators to implement load shedding. Reuters
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has acknowledged the financial and infrastructural difficulties confronting the sector. In April 2026, the Presidency announced a ₦3.3 trillion settlement framework for verified legacy electricity debts, with the administration arguing that addressing outstanding obligations would improve the sector's financial stability and support more reliable generation. The State House, Abuja
APC defends Tinubu's electricity record
Interestingly, the APC Presidential Campaign Council has recently defended the administration's performance, arguing that its electricity promises should be assessed alongside the reforms and interventions introduced since Tinubu assumed office.
On November 1, 2026, the council's spokesperson, Dele Alake, highlighted the Presidential Metering Initiative, the Electricity Act 2023, investments in transmission infrastructure and efforts to address accumulated debts in the power sector.
The council also claimed that more than 1.5 million electricity customers had been metered under the administration's initiatives, while acknowledging that fixing the country's electricity challenges remained unfinished business. The Guardian +1
However, the central question for millions of electricity consumers remains whether these policy interventions will translate into consistent improvements in their daily experience.
Oseni's observation raises a broader issue about political accountability: when governments make ambitious promises, citizens deserve measurable results, transparent explanations and honest assessments when targets are missed.
Ultimately, electricity supply is not simply a campaign talking point. It affects the cost of production, employment, education, healthcare, small businesses and the overall standard of living.
For Nigerians who have endured years of unreliable electricity, the demand is straightforward: less political rhetoric, more accountability and tangible improvements in power supply.
A promise made to the electorate should come with a responsibility to explain what happened when delivery falls short.
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