A video circulating widely on social media has captured the moment power supply was unexpectedly cut during a live session at Nigeria’s National Assembly, triggering both laughter in the chamber and embarrassment online.
The clip, originally shared by user @ChuksEricE on X (formerly Twitter), shows a legislator delivering a speech when the chamber is suddenly plunged into darkness. The abrupt blackout interrupts the proceedings, but lawmakers respond with laughter rather than outrage, with one even cracking a joke to lighten the atmosphere.
Despite the good-natured reaction inside the hall, many Nigerians online viewed the incident as a stark symbol of the country’s longstanding electricity challenges even at the highest levels of government.
As the video spread rapidly across social media, users flooded the comments with sharp criticism, sardonic humor, and frustration over the persistent failure to fix Nigeria’s power sector.
Selected Social Media Reactions
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@Web3Pst: “They even deny themselves respect in the name of incompetence.”
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@ceasarokoli: “No rage, no anger, just laughter and vibes. This says a lot about the zeal of our lawmakers.”
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@AdaIgbo00: “Darkness at the very center of power. If lawmakers can’t keep the lights on, what hope for ordinary citizens?”
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@Jaynephfa: “Stupidity on display. The light went off and he just continued talking.”
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@Tradebilly1: “This is how you know Nigeria isn’t serious. All they do is deceive the people.”
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@Yoel_Solo555: “The room’s reaction says it all. Nobody was angry—it’s just normal to them. How can the system ever change?”
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@Donremmy50: “I remember when this government was in opposition and promised to fix power in six months. APC has been in power for ten years and it’s worse. Did this kind of thing ever happen before?”
Symbol of Broader Power Sector Failures
The incident, while humorous in the moment, has become an emblem of Nigeria’s chronic electricity woes. Despite years of reform plans and promises, much of the country still suffers from unstable and inadequate power supply.
Analysts note that even government institutions in the capital city remain vulnerable to blackouts, underscoring the scale of the problem. Critics argue that the nonchalant response from lawmakers inside the chamber reflects a culture of resignation to failure, with little urgency to address citizens’ daily struggles with unreliable electricity.
A Familiar Political Promise
The clip also revived debate about unfulfilled political pledges. Some commenters pointed out that members of the current administration once promised to resolve Nigeria’s electricity problems within six months if elected a vow many see as emblematic of wider governance failures.
As the video continues to attract attention, it serves as a vivid reminder of the gap between official rhetoric and the everyday realities faced by Nigerians including, it seems, those in the very heart of government.
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