Lack of electricity undermines Nigerian president's re-election bid

ABUJA - Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan's election campaign has trumpeted his reform of the power sector as a crowning achievement. But electricity shortages persist and the underperformance is a major political issue.

Jonathan took the bold step in 2013 of selling parts of the moribund state electricity firm and says the privatisation has bourne fruit. "Power supply in many parts of the country has improved to a consistent level of 15 hours a day," a presidential website says.