Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu led administration for failing to deliver on its promise to “put food on the table of Nigerians,” as the nation battles a worsening hunger crisis.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s 2022 campaign remarks in Delta State, where he dismissed Obi’s focus on statistics with the quip, “Na statistics we go chop?” Obi highlighted the irony of a government now relying on questionable data to mask economic decline.
Two years into Tinubu’s four-year tenure, Nigeria ranks among the world’s hungriest nations, with millions of citizens uncertain about their next meal. Obi accused the administration of manipulating unemployment figures, inflation rates, and GDP rebasing to project a false sense of progress.
“Governance is not rocket science, nor a gamble,” Obi declared. “It requires sincerity of purpose, character, competence, capacity, and compassion. A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Speaking to supporters in Abuja, Obi emphasized that Nigeria’s deteriorating economic and household conditions demand urgent action.
“The people deserve leadership that delivers results, not excuses,” he said, advocating for policies rooted in accountability and compassion.
Economic experts back Obi’s concerns, noting that soaring food prices and joblessness have left families struggling.
“The promise of food on the table has become a distant dream for many,” said Dr. Aisha Mohammed, an economist at Lagos State University. “Relying on distorted statistics only erodes public trust.”
Obi’s call for a “new Nigeria” continues to resonate with citizens frustrated by unfulfilled promises, positioning him as a vocal advocate for change amid growing discontent.