The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent remarks on hunger in Nigeria, describing the statement as insensitive to the hardship being experienced by millions of citizens.
In a post shared on his official X account on Friday, Obi said he was concerned by the President’s comments during a meeting with Catholic bishops, where Tinubu reportedly said that hunger had always existed in Nigeria, even before he was born.
“I watched with deep concern the statement made by President Bola Tinubu to the Catholic Bishops who visited his office, that there has always been hunger in Nigeria, even before he was born,” Obi wrote.
While acknowledging that hunger has long been a challenge in the country, Obi argued that such remarks fail to reflect the gravity of the current economic situation.
“While it is true that hunger has been a part of human life and has existed in our country for decades, such a statement appears insensitive to the plight of the millions of Nigerians who face worsening economic hardship today. More importantly, we must focus on the facts and the measurable outcomes of governance.”
The former Anambra State governor backed his criticism with figures, claiming that food insecurity and poverty have worsened since the current administration came into office in 2023.
According to him, about 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity before the present government assumed office, largely due to insecurity, armed conflict, banditry and floods. He said the figure has now increased to about 35 million people.
“Before the present administration assumed office in 2023, an estimated 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity, primarily caused by insecurity, armed conflict, widespread banditry, and devastating floods.
“Today, less than three years later, that number has risen to about 35 million Nigerians. Instead of improving the situation, the crisis has worsened significantly under the current administration.”
Obi also raised concerns over the country’s rising poverty rate, alleging that the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty has climbed sharply.
“Before this government took office in 2023, Nigeria’s extreme poverty was estimated at 87 million people.
“Current projections suggest that this number is approaching 140 million people, making Nigeria home to the largest population of people living in extreme poverty anywhere in the world.”
He acknowledged that the Tinubu administration inherited significant economic and security challenges but insisted that governments should ultimately be judged by their performance.
“No one disputes that this administration inherited serious challenges. However, leadership is measured not by the challenges inherited but by the results achieved.
“The government must honestly acknowledge that its response has fallen far short of what the situation demanded, with millions more Nigerians pushed deeper into poverty and hunger.”
The former Labour Party chieftain attributed the worsening situation to insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, excessive public spending and inadequate investment in productive sectors.
“The combination of persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public expenditure, and inadequate investment in productive sectors has compounded the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.”
Obi urged the Federal Government to prioritise investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, security and support for small businesses, saying such measures would stimulate economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.
“A responsible government must prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and small businesses while pursuing policies that create jobs, expand production, and lift people out of poverty. That remains my commitment to the Nigerian people.”
He ended the statement with his familiar message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
