The 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent comments on hunger, describing the remarks as insensitive to the economic realities confronting millions of Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obi said the growing hardship across the country demands empathy and practical policy responses rather than comments that could be perceived as dismissive of citizens’ struggles.
Reacting to the President’s comments, Obi deemed them insensitive. He emphasized that the national discourse should instead center on the country’s present situation and the tangible outcomes of governmental policies.
“I watched with deep concern the statement made by President Bola Tinubu to the Catholic Bishops, 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,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that many households continue to grapple with rising food prices, inflation and declining purchasing power, urging the Federal Government to prioritise measures that address the worsening cost-of-living crisis.
According to him, tackling hunger requires deliberate economic policies aimed at boosting food production, stabilising prices and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable Nigerians.
Obi also claimed that the number of Nigerians in extreme poverty has risen significantly, from an estimated 87 million in 2023 to nearly 140 million. Obi is also stating that Nigeria now has the highest number of people living in extreme poverty worldwide.
“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,” he stated.
He called on the government to focus on delivering sustainable solutions capable of easing the burden on citizens, stressing that leadership should be guided by compassion, accountability and responsiveness to the needs of the people.
