A fresh wave of political debate has erupted in Nigeria’s social media space following the Federal Government’s announcement that it intends to study Egypt’s power generation and transmission strategies.
This move is however, strikingly similar to one made by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in 2022, which was heavily criticized by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the time.
In a statement released on Sunday, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu described Egypt as a “role model” in the energy sector, emphasizing Nigeria’s need to emulate its success in tackling electricity challenges.
The announcement comes as the country continues to grapple with a faltering power grid, with generation capacity stagnating below 10,000 megawatts for a population exceeding 200 million a stark contrast to Egypt’s reported 40,000 megawatts for roughly half that population.
However, this development had reignited memories of June 2022, when Peter Obi, then a presidential hopeful, travelled to Egypt to study its power sector reforms.
Obi’s visit aimed to gather insights into how Egypt transformed its electricity infrastructure, a trip he later cited as part of his blueprint to address Nigeria’s chronic power shortages.
At the time, APC leaders and supporters dismissed the move, with some labelling it a publicity stunt and others mocking it as evidence of Obi’s lack of originality or preparedness.
Prominent APC voices, including then-spokespersons, argued that such trips were unnecessary and that Nigeria’s solutions should be homegrown.
Fast forward to 2025, and the government’s pivot to Egypt has drawn sharp reactions from both sides of the political divide.
Supporters of Peter Obi, often referred to as “Obidients,” have taken to social media and public forums to highlight the apparent hypocrisy.
“Peter Obi went to Egypt to learn how to fix our power crisis, and APC laughed at him. Now they’re shamelessly copying him—where’s the plan they claimed to have?” said Chinedu Okeke, an Obi supporter in Lagos.
Posts trending on X echo this sentiment, with many pointing out the irony of the APC-led government adopting a strategy they once ridiculed.
Meanwhile, APC defenders have pushed back, arguing that the government’s approach is distinct and more structured.
“This isn’t about copying anyone. The minister’s initiative is a deliberate policy backed by state resources, not a solo trip for campaign optics,” said Tunde Rahman, a media aide to an APC governor, in a statement to reporters.
Some APC supporters have also suggested that the government’s decision reflects a pragmatic shift rather than an admission of past error, though this has done little to quell the backlash.
The controversy has added fuel to an already polarized political landscape as Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 elections.
Analysts note that the power sector remains a critical issue for voters, with frequent grid collapses like the one reported in February 2025 and rising tariffs amid poor supply continuing to frustrate citizens.
The government’s recent $200 million deal with WeLight to deploy renewable mini-grids in rural areas, announced earlier this month, has yet to yield visible results, further intensifying public scrutiny.
For now, the Egyptians have exposed tensions between past promises and present actions.
Whether this move will translate into tangible improvements in Nigeria’s power sector remains uncertain, but it has undoubtedly reignited a debate about leadership, consistency, and the path forward for Nigeria.