The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent comments on hunger in Nigeria, describing the remarks as insensitive to the worsening economic hardship confronting millions of citizens.
President Tinubu made the remarks while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, July 29. During the meeting, the President stated that hunger had always existed in Nigeria, even before he was born.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday, Obi said that although hunger has been a longstanding challenge in the country, the President’s comments did not adequately reflect the severity of the current economic situation.
“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,” 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.”
The former Anambra State governor stressed that public discourse should focus less on historical comparisons and more on measurable outcomes of governance.
“More importantly, we must focus on the facts and the measurable outcomes of governance,” he added.
Obi argued that food insecurity has deteriorated significantly since the current administration assumed office in 2023. According to him, available data indicate that the number of Nigerians experiencing acute food insecurity has risen sharply within the period.
“Before this administration came into office, about 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity. Today, that number has risen to approximately 35 million. Instead of improving the situation, the crisis has worsened significantly under the current administration,” he stated.
He also expressed concern over rising poverty levels, claiming that the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty had increased substantially since 2023.
According to Obi, poverty has expanded to a level that now affects a much larger proportion of the population.
The former governor acknowledged that President Tinubu inherited serious economic and security challenges, including inflationary pressures, insecurity and structural weaknesses in the economy. However, he argued that leaders should ultimately be judged by their ability to improve living conditions.
“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.
He maintained that the government should candidly acknowledge the extent of the hardship facing citizens and take stronger corrective measures.
“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,” he added.
Obi attributed the worsening economic conditions to persistent insecurity, weak economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public expenditure and inadequate investment in productive sectors of the economy.
He argued that insecurity in farming communities has reduced agricultural output, while high inflation and unemployment have eroded household incomes and purchasing power.
According to him, a more effective response would involve prioritising investments in sectors capable of generating employment, increasing production and improving social welfare.
Obi called on the Federal Government to focus on education, healthcare, agriculture, security and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which he described as critical drivers of economic growth and poverty reduction.
“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,” he said.
He further stated that such an approach remains central to his own vision for governance and national development.
“That remains my commitment to the Nigerian people,” Obi added.
The exchange between President Tinubu and Obi is the latest in a series of public disagreements between the presidency and opposition figures over the state of the economy. Rising food prices, inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power have become major issues in national political discourse, with opposition leaders increasingly using them to challenge the government’s economic policies.
While the Tinubu administration has defended its reforms as necessary measures to stabilise the economy and achieve long-term growth, critics insist that the immediate impact on ordinary Nigerians has been severe and requires urgent intervention.
