NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi Criticises Tinubu Over Hunger Comment

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent remark that hunger existed in Nigeria even before he was born, describing the statement as insensitive to the plight of millions of Nigerians facing worsening economic hardship.

Obi, in a statement on Friday, said although hunger has been a long-standing challenge in Nigeria, the President’s comment failed to reflect the severity of the country’s current economic situation.

He argued that the focus of government should be on addressing the growing hardship confronting Nigerians rather than making references to the country’s past.

According to Obi, before the Tinubu administration assumed office in 2023, an estimated 17 million Nigerians were experiencing acute food insecurity, largely due to insecurity, armed conflict, banditry and flooding. He claimed that the figure has now risen to about 35 million, indicating that the crisis has worsened under the current administration.

The former Anambra State governor also raised concerns over the country’s rising poverty rate. He stated that before the present administration took office, about 87 million Nigerians were living in extreme poverty, adding that current projections suggest the number is approaching 140 million.

Obi acknowledged that the Tinubu administration inherited serious economic and security challenges but maintained that governments should be judged by the results they achieve rather than the problems they inherit.

He said the worsening economic conditions were driven by persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public expenditure and inadequate investment in productive sectors of the economy.

Obi urged the Federal Government to prioritise investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, security and support for small businesses, while implementing policies that would create jobs, increase production and reduce poverty.

He added that tackling hunger, reducing poverty and improving the welfare of Nigerians remain central to his vision for the country.