“Hospitals in Crisis, Patients at Risk, Flights in Uncertainty: One Week of Total Blackout Sparks Outrage Over Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘24-Hour Electricity’ Promise”
.........Nationwide Outrage as Port Harcourt Federal Facilities Plunge Into Prolonged Darkness
By Passman Akpos
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — Public frustration is mounting in Port Harcourt following reports that major federal institutions—including Port Harcourt International Airport, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and Nigerian Television Authority—have been thrown into complete darkness for over a week, sparking widespread concern over the state of electricity supply in the region.
The alarming situation first gained traction after businessman Azubuike Ihemeje publicly decried the blackout, describing it as unprecedented and deeply troubling. His remarks quickly ignited intense reactions across social media, with residents and stakeholders expressing anger, disbelief, and growing anxiety over the implications of the outage.
At the center of the crisis is the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where patients and healthcare workers are reportedly bearing the brunt of the power failure. Several citizens alleged that pregnant women have begun avoiding the facility due to fears over inadequate care in the absence of stable electricity. While these claims remain unverified by hospital authorities, they underscore the level of public distress surrounding the situation.
“This is the first time even Nigerian Television Authority doesn’t have light,” one resident lamented, reflecting the scale of the disruption affecting both essential services and public institutions.
The blackout has also reignited debates about governance and energy management. Critics have questioned the role of both the Rivers State Government and the Federal Government, with some drawing comparisons to neighboring Abia State, where residents claim electricity supply appears relatively more stable.
The controversy has further extended to national leadership, with some citizens directly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” arguing that the prolonged blackout contradicts promises of improved power supply. Others, however, urged patience, noting that systemic challenges in Nigeria’s power sector require long-term solutions.
Electricity distribution company Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company has yet to issue a comprehensive public statement detailing the cause of the outage or a clear timeline for restoration, further fueling public frustration.
Meanwhile, some residents have resorted to alternative power sources such as solar systems and generators, though these options remain unaffordable for many, deepening the divide between those who can cope and those left in darkness.
As the blackout stretches beyond a week, concerns continue to grow over its impact on healthcare delivery, aviation safety, economic activities, and general living conditions in Port Harcourt.
Observers warn that unless urgent action is taken, the crisis could escalate into a broader humanitarian and political issue, intensifying public scrutiny on both state and federal authorities.
