Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of worsening hunger and poverty across the country.
Obi made the remarks while reacting to President Tinubu’s statement that hunger had always existed in Nigeria, arguing that although food insecurity predates the current administration, the government should be judged by its response to the crisis and measurable governance outcomes.
According to Obi, an estimated 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity before the Tinubu administration assumed office in 2023, largely due to insecurity, armed conflict, banditry and flooding.
He, however, claimed that the figure has risen to about 35 million in less than three years, insisting that the situation has deteriorated rather than improved under the current government.
Obi also expressed concern over rising poverty levels, alleging that the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty has increased significantly since 2023.
He said extreme poverty affected about 87 million Nigerians before the present administration took office, but current projections indicate the figure is approaching 140 million, which, according to him, would make Nigeria the country with the highest number of people living in extreme poverty globally.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that addressing the growing hardship facing Nigerians should take priority over statements that appear to downplay the country’s economic challenges.
