Tinubu cites 6,000MW power peak, vows safer Nigeria if re-elected

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration increased electricity generation to a peak of 6,000 megawatts , describing it as about 50 per cent higher than what his government inherited in 2023.

Speaking on Sunday in Abuja during his acceptance speech after emerging as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election, Tinubu promised to continue reforms aimed at turning the power sector into what he called a ‘bankable and investable’ industry capable of supplying stable electricity to homes and businesses.

The president received the APC flag and certificate of return at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre after securing victory in the party’s presidential primary conducted nationwide on Saturday. Collated results presented by party officials showed Tinubu polled about 10.6 million votes to defeat Stanley Osifo, who scored 16,546 votes.

Tinubu thanked party leaders, governors, members of the National Assembly and supporters for backing his re-election bid, saying he accepted the nomination with ‘humility and gratitude.’ He added that the next phase of his administration would focus on consolidating ongoing reforms and building a safer and more prosperous country.

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The president acknowledged that insecurity and economic hardship remain major concerns for many Nigerians but insisted that his government was confronting the challenges directly. According to him, the administration has expanded investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and security equipment while strengthening collaboration with local communities.

“I want to build a Nigeria where every citizen can live, work and aspire without fear,” Tinubu said, while renewing his call for constitutional amendments to allow the establishment of state police across the federation.

Highlighting achievements recorded since assuming office, Tinubu said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund had disbursed more than N282 billion to over 1.5 million beneficiaries in a bid to remove barriers to higher education.

He also stated that the administration had distributed about 2.5 million electricity meters under the Presidential Metering Initiative to reduce estimated billing, while approving a N4 trillion bond programme to offset debts owed to electricity generation and gas supply companies.

Tinubu defended his government’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate changes, arguing that the policies were beginning to stabilise the economy. He claimed that foreign reserves were improving and the naira was showing signs of recovery despite global pressures linked to the Middle East crisis and the war involving Iran.

The president further said his administration had prioritised infrastructure development in roads, ports, airports, housing, irrigation, digital connectivity and energy as part of efforts to drive industrialisation and inclusive growth.

According to him, ongoing coastal and Sokoto-Badagry highway projects are designed to provide long-term economic value, while reforms in the oil and gas sector have helped attract fresh investments into an industry he described as previously struggling.

Tinubu urged political opponents and critics to embrace dialogue and national unity ahead of the 2027 election, stressing that democracy thrives on diversity of opinion and collective effort.

He also reflected on his emergence as APC candidate in 2022 alongside late former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the task before the country now is to preserve continuity and deepen reforms already initiated by his administration.