The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that economic growth has little value if Nigerians continue to grapple with poverty, hunger and insecurity.
Obi said the country’s rising poverty levels contradicted claims of economic progress, insisting that improvements in economic indicators must translate into better living conditions for citizens.
The former Anambra State governor made the remarks in a post on X on Saturday to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
He argued that Nigeria was moving backwards despite its abundant human and natural resources, citing figures indicating that the poverty rate rose from 40.1 per cent in 2019 to 56.2 per cent in 2023, with projections suggesting it could reach 63 per cent in 2026.
Obi said millions of Nigerians were struggling to afford food and access healthcare, questioning the value of economic growth that failed to improve the welfare of ordinary citizens.
“What meaning does economic growth have when citizens are getting poorer, hungrier, and more insecure?” he asked.
Obi Calls for National Reflection on Poverty
The NDC presidential candidate said the country’s development should be measured by improvements in citizens’ living standards rather than economic growth figures alone.
He also suggested that the Federal Government should have declared Saturday a public holiday to encourage reflection on the country’s poverty crisis.
“Perhaps today should have been declared a public holiday, not for celebration, but for national reflection on how a country so richly endowed with human and natural resources has allowed poverty to overcome it,” Obi said.
He maintained that poverty was not Nigeria’s destiny, arguing that effective leadership and prudent management of public resources could reverse the trend.
According to him, tackling poverty requires deliberate investment in critical sectors, including education and healthcare, as well as policies that support agriculture and small businesses.
Obi urged the government to prioritise measures capable of expanding economic opportunities, improving access to essential services and easing the hardship faced by vulnerable households.
He said the ultimate test of economic policy should be whether Nigerians could afford basic necessities and live in greater security and dignity.
