The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has warned that hunger and poverty in Nigeria are no longer abstract numbers but a grim reality for millions.

 

 

In a post on his X handle, the former Anambra State governor said Nigeria was facing “acute food shortages and multi-dimensional poverty at a scale never before seen.”

 

 

“In our country today, hunger and poverty are not just distant statistics; they are the harsh reality that millions of our people face daily,” Obi wrote.

 

 

Citing United Nations data, he said about 34 million Nigerians risk acute food insecurity, while 63% of the population — roughly 133 million people — live in multidimensional poverty.

 

 

Obi noted that inflation, “even with suppressed statistics,” is near 30%, while unemployment and economic mismanagement have “nearly wiped out our once vibrant middle class.” Families once stable, he said, are “slipping into poverty” due to “incompetent leadership without capacity and compassion.”

 

 

Drawing a comparison with Argentina, Obi highlighted how the South American nation reduced poverty from 52% to 38.1% within two years under new leadership by cutting waste, prioritising economic stability, and restoring investor confidence.

 

 

“Both Argentina and the current Nigerian leadership assumed office in the same year,” Obi said. “Two years may not be enough to completely transform a nation, but it is enough to kickstart genuine change — if the leadership is honest, focused, and committed to the people.”

 

 

Obi urged Nigerian leaders to fight corruption, reduce the cost of governance, and invest in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.

 

 

“Nigeria can work. We can reduce hunger and restore dignity to Nigerians,” he said. “A New Nigeria is POssible.”