By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent remarks regarding the economic hardship and hunger facing the nation.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the former Anambra State governor expressed deep concern following President Tinubu’s statements to visiting Catholic Bishops, where the President noted that hunger has always existed in Nigeria even before he was born.
Describing the President’s statement as insensitive, Obi insisted that leadership should be measured by results rather than historical excuses, pointing out that economic indicators have degraded drastically under the current administration.
In his post titled “Hunger and the Insensitivity of Mr. President,” Obi wrote:
“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. 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.”
Highlighting specific figures on food insecurity and national poverty levels, Obi stated:
“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.”
He further added:
“The same trend is evident in poverty. 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.”
Faulting the administration’s governance approach and economic policies, the NDC flagbearer stressed that inherited challenges cannot justify current failures:
“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 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.”
Concluding his message, Obi emphasized the need for a strategic shift toward critical developmental sectors to lift citizens out of 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. A New Nigeria is Possible. PO.”
