The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the worsening hunger crisis in northern Nigeria, describing the situation as avoidable and blaming it on what he called incompetent leadership.

In a statement titled “UN’s Warning on Northern Nigeria’s Food Crisis”, posted on his X account on Saturday, Obi said the latest warning by the World Food Programme was alarming, noting that northern Nigeria, regarded as the country’s food basket, should not be facing such a humanitarian crisis.

He said he was particularly troubled by the UN report indicating that northern Nigeria is experiencing its worst hunger crisis in nearly a decade, with more than 17 million people across nine northern states facing crisis-level hunger and over 35 million Nigerians nationwide at risk during the current lean season.

Obi also expressed concern that more than 10,000 residents of Borno State have entered what the UN described as “catastrophic” hunger conditions, describing the development as a national failure.

“I am deeply troubled by the latest report from the UN’s World Food Programme, indicating that northern Nigeria is experiencing its most severe hunger crisis in nearly a decade.

Over 17 million people in nine northern states face crisis-level hunger, with more than 35 million Nigerians nationwide at risk during this challenging season.

“The fact that over 10,000 residents of Borno State have entered “catastrophic” hunger conditions represents not only immense human suffering but also a profound national failure.

“Nigeria should not rank among the world’s hungriest nations, given its abundant resources, particularly the vast stretches of fertile, uncultivated land in the North,” Obi said.

According to him, the worsening food crisis is largely driven by insecurity, which has prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands, while banditry and insurgency have turned many farming communities into displacement zones.

The former Anambra State governor urged the Federal Government and state governments to prioritise investments in securing agricultural corridors, supporting smallholder farmers with accessible resources, and strengthening collaboration with the World Food Programme to address funding gaps before the situation deteriorates further.