Peter Obi Slams Tinubu over hunger comments, saying worsening poverty and food insecurity require urgent government action in Nigeria
Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised President Bola Tinubu over comments on hunger in Nigeria, describing the remarks as insensitive amid growing concerns about economic hardship across the country.
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Obi made the statement on Friday while reacting to comments made by President Tinubu during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the meeting, Tinubu said hunger had existed in Nigeria for decades, including before his birth, while addressing concerns about the country’s economic challenges.
Responding through a statement shared on his official social media platforms, Obi said acknowledging historical challenges should not distract from the current realities facing millions of Nigerians.
“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,” 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,” he added.
The former Anambra State governor argued that the focus of leadership should be on measurable improvements in citizens’ living conditions and the impact of government policies.
Obi claimed that food insecurity and poverty levels had increased significantly since the Tinubu administration assumed office in 2023, citing figures he said showed a rise in the number of Nigerians facing acute food insecurity and extreme poverty.
According to Obi, the number of Nigerians experiencing acute food insecurity increased from about 17 million before the current administration to approximately 35 million, while he claimed the population living in extreme poverty rose from an estimated 87 million in 2023 to nearly 140 million.
He said the government’s performance should be judged by the results achieved rather than the difficulties inherited from previous administrations.
“No one disputes that this administration inherited serious challenges. However, leadership is measured not by the challenges inherited but by the results achieved,” Obi said.
“The government must honestly acknowledge that its response has fallen far short of what the situation demanded,” he added.
Obi attributed the economic difficulties to factors including insecurity, weak economic management, public spending concerns and insufficient investment in productive sectors.
He urged the Federal Government to place greater emphasis on education, healthcare, agriculture, security and support for small businesses, arguing that stronger investment in these areas would improve job creation, increase productivity and reduce poverty.
The comments add to ongoing political debate over Nigeria’s economic direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures continuing to challenge the government’s handling of inflation, food security and living standards.
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President Tinubu’s administration has maintained that its economic reforms are aimed at achieving long-term growth and addressing structural challenges, while acknowledging the difficulties faced by citizens during the transition period.
