The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, on Monday, said Nigeria’s development is being hindered by corruption, criminality, and incompetent leadership under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Obi, in a post on his X handle, said millions of Nigerians are sinking deeper into poverty as a result of poor governance and the failure of leaders to put citizens’ welfare first.
Citing United Nations data, he said about 34 million Nigerians will face acute food insecurity, while 133 million people – about 63 per cent of the population – now live in multidimensional poverty.
The former Anambra state Governor added that inflation, which is nearly 30 per cent, coupled with unemployment and economic mismanagement, has eroded the country’s middle class.
According to him, other nations facing similar challenges have achieved significant economic recovery through disciplined leadership and sound policies, pointing to Argentina as an example.
“In Argentina, over 52 per cent of the population lived in poverty by early 2024, with inflation above 200 per cent. Yet, within two years, the new president cut poverty to 38.1 per cent, reduced extreme poverty to 8.2 per cent, and brought inflation down to 2–3 per cent monthly,” Obi said.
He noted that both Argentina and the Tinubu administration began in the same year, stressing that while two years may not be enough for a total turnaround, it is sufficient to start genuine reforms that yield visible results if the leadership is honest and focused.
Obi maintained that Nigeria can reduce hunger and restore dignity to its citizens if leaders commit to fighting corruption, cutting the cost of governance, and prioritising critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
