Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to fulfill his promise to improve electricity supply in Nigeria.
In an interview shared on his official Facebook page on Saturday, Dino Melaye criticized the President’s decision to install a solar power system at the Presidential Villa, arguing that it shows a lack of commitment to resolving the country’s broader power challenges.
He described the move as insensitive, claiming that while the Presidency is moving away from the national grid, ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle with poor electricity supply.
According to him, “He decided that Nigerians should continue in darkness and bought a solar system in the Presidential Villa at the whooping cost of N17 billion, to the detriment of Nigerians.
“When the President says he is off the national grid, that is to tell you he has given up on power.
“Leadership is by example. How can you have solar power in the Villa and the poor farmer in Ogbomoso is sleeping with candles?
“He is such an insensitive president. I thought Nigerians should have light before you think of the Villa, but he is the most insensitive character I have seen.”
BACKSTORY…
Dino Melaye’s comment is part of a wider political reaction to ongoing concerns about Nigeria’s struggling electricity supply. For years, Nigerians have faced unstable power, frequent blackouts, and heavy reliance on generators, despite repeated government promises to reform the sector.
Recently, reports emerged that a solar power system worth about ₦17 billion was installed at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa to support its electricity needs. This sparked public debate, with critics questioning why such a large investment was made for the Presidential Villa while the national power grid still performs poorly.
Dino Melaye, a former senator and known political critic of the ruling government, used the development to argue that it reflects misplaced priorities. He suggested that if the government is shifting to alternative power for the Villa, it may signal a lack of confidence in fixing Nigeria’s broader electricity challenges.
His remarks fit into the ongoing opposition narrative that the Tinubu administration is not doing enough to improve everyday living conditions, especially in critical sectors like power, which directly affects businesses and households across the country.
