Obi Slams Tinubu Over 'Insensitive' Hunger Comments

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over a statement made by President Bola Tinubu regarding the prevalence of hunger in Nigeria. During a meeting with the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria on July 29, President Tinubu stated that hunger has been a long-standing issue in the country, even before his birth. Obi, in a statement released on Friday, acknowledged that hunger has indeed been a part of human life and has existed in Nigeria for decades. However, he described the President's remarks as insensitive to the plight of millions of Nigerians who are facing worsening economic hardship. According to Obi, the number of Nigerians facing acute food insecurity has risen from 17 million to 35 million since the current administration took office in 2023. He also claimed that poverty levels have increased, with the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty rising from 87 million in 2023 to nearly 140 million. Obi attributed the worsening situation to persistent insecurity, poor economic management, and inadequate investment in productive sectors. He urged the Federal Government to prioritize investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and support for small businesses, while implementing policies that would create jobs and reduce poverty. 'A responsible government must prioritize investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and small businesses while pursuing policies that create jobs, expand production, and lift people out of poverty,' Obi stated.