Abuja, Nigeria – The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to provide 24-hour electricity to Nigerians during the 2023 presidential campaign.

Onanuga made the clarification while responding to comments by Peter Obi, who recently called on Tinubu to resign over what he described as worsening economic conditions, insecurity and inadequate power supply across the country.

According to the presidential aide, assertions that Tinubu pledged uninterrupted electricity nationwide during the election campaign amount to a distortion of the president’s actual remarks.

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Obi had argued that Tinubu should emulate British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by stepping down from office, citing economic hardship, insecurity and poor electricity supply as evidence of failed leadership.

The former presidential candidate also claimed that Tinubu had promised Nigerians 24-hour electricity and challenged voters not to support him for a second term if he failed to fulfill that pledge.

However, Onanuga insisted that the statement being referenced has repeatedly been taken out of context.

He explained that Tinubu was addressing residents of Lagos during a campaign event and was specifically discussing electricity billing reforms rather than guaranteeing round-the-clock power supply for every Nigerian.

According to Onanuga, the president’s actual promise focused on improving electricity access and ending the burden of estimated billing through expanded metering.

Quoting the campaign speech, Onanuga said Tinubu had stated:

“Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me—unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.”

The presidential spokesman argued that critics and political opponents have consistently misrepresented the remarks by portraying them as a promise of 24-hour electricity nationwide.

Defending the administration’s performance, Onanuga pointed to several initiatives undertaken by the government since Tinubu assumed office.

He said the administration has implemented reforms aimed at improving electricity generation and distribution, including the signing of the Electricity Act, increased deployment of prepaid meters and investments in alternative energy sources.

According to him, these measures form part of broader efforts to strengthen the power sector and address long-standing challenges affecting electricity supply across the country.

The exchange between the presidency and Obi adds to the growing political debate over the Tinubu administration’s performance as economic and governance issues continue to dominate national discourse.