Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent remarks on hunger, describing the statement as insensitive to the plight of millions of Nigerians facing worsening economic hardship.
Obi’s reaction followed Tinubu’s comments during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the President said: “Before I was born, there was hunger in this country, and I have no control over the population development of Nigeria’s trajectory.”
In a statement released on Friday, Obi expressed deep concern over the President’s remarks.
“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 said.
“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 argued that food insecurity had deteriorated significantly since the Tinubu administration assumed office in 2023.
According to Obi, before the present administration took office, an estimated 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity, primarily caused by insecurity, armed conflict, widespread banditry, and devastating floods.
He stated that the figure has now risen to approximately 35 million Nigerians, more than double within three years.
“Instead of improving the situation, the crisis has worsened significantly under the current administration,” Obi stated.
The NDC presidential candidate also highlighted the worsening poverty crisis, claiming that Nigeria’s extreme poverty had risen from an estimated 87 million people before 2023 to nearly 140 million currently, making Nigeria the country with the largest population of people living in extreme poverty anywhere in the world.
Obi acknowledged that the administration inherited serious challenges but insisted that leadership should be judged by results rather than excuses.
“No one disputes that this administration inherited serious challenges. However, leadership is measured not by the challenges inherited but by the results achieved,” he said.
“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.”
He attributed the worsening conditions to persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public expenditure, and inadequate investment in productive sectors.
Obi urged the Federal Government to prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and support for small businesses, while pursuing policies that create jobs, expand production, and lift Nigerians 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,” Obi added.
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