Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent comments on hunger in Nigeria, describing the remarks as insensitive amid the country’s worsening economic hardship.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria on Wednesday, July 29, President Tinubu stated that hunger had always existed in Nigeria, even before he was born.
Reacting in a statement released on Friday, Obi acknowledged that hunger has long been a challenge in the country but argued that the President’s comments failed to reflect the severity of the current economic crisis affecting millions of Nigerians.
“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.”
Obi argued that food insecurity has deteriorated significantly since the current administration assumed office in 2023.
According to him, approximately 17 million Nigerians were experiencing acute food insecurity before the Tinubu administration took office, but that figure has now risen to about 35 million.
“Instead of improving the situation, the crisis has worsened significantly under the current administration,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor also claimed that poverty levels have risen sharply, alleging that the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty increased from an estimated 87 million in 2023 to nearly 140 million.
While acknowledging that the Tinubu administration inherited significant economic and security challenges, Obi maintained that governments should ultimately be judged by their performance and results.
“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,” Obi said.
Obi attributed the worsening economic conditions to persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public spending, and inadequate investment in productive sectors.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and support for small businesses, while implementing policies aimed at creating jobs, boosting production, and reducing 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 added.
