The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Friday criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent remarks that hunger had always existed in Nigeria, describing the statement as insensitive to the plight of millions of citizens grappling with worsening economic hardship.
Obi, in a statement, argued that while hunger had existed long before the current administration, the focus should be on whether government policies had improved or worsened the living conditions of Nigerians.
He maintained that available data showed a significant deterioration in food security and poverty levels since the Tinubu administration assumed office in May 2023.
According to Obi, about 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity before the current administration took office, largely due to insecurity, armed conflict, banditry and flooding.
He claimed that the figure had now risen to about 35 million people, indicating a sharp increase in the number of Nigerians struggling to access adequate food.
The former Anambra State governor also expressed concern over rising poverty, alleging that the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty had increased from about 87 million in 2023 to nearly 140 million.
He said the development had placed Nigeria among the countries with the largest population of people living in extreme poverty.
While acknowledging that the Tinubu administration inherited significant economic and security challenges, Obi insisted that leadership should be judged by its ability to improve the welfare of citizens.
"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.
He argued that the government's response had fallen short of expectations, claiming that millions of Nigerians had been pushed deeper into poverty and hunger under the current administration.
Obi attributed the worsening socio-economic conditions to persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public spending and inadequate investment in productive sectors of the economy.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security and support for small businesses, saying such measures were critical to creating jobs, boosting production and reducing poverty.
The NDC presidential candidate reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing policies aimed at expanding economic opportunities and improving the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
President Tinubu had, during a meeting with Catholic bishops, remarked that hunger had always existed in Nigeria, even before his birth, a comment that has continued to generate reactions from opposition politicians and other stakeholders.
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