Posted by Samuel on Sun 08th Feb, 2026 - tori.ng
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election decried the rising poverty level in the country, noting that about 150 million Nigerians were currently living below the poverty line, which he described as unacceptable.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has lamented that Nigeria has become one of the world’s hungriest and most insecure nations.
Peter Obi spoke in Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday, during the official declaration and integration of the state Obidient Movement into the African Democratic Congress, where he called on Nigerians to unite and rescue the country from bad governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election decried the rising poverty level in the country, noting that about 150 million Nigerians were currently living below the poverty line, which he described as unacceptable.
“Our country today has more people living in poverty than China and India combined. These two countries are nearly three billion and we are just 250 million but we have more people living in poverty than the two of them combined,” Obi said.
He added, “Our country today is one of the most insecure country of the world. Our country today is one of the hungriest in the world.”
Obi further criticised the Federal Government’s economic management, alleging that more loans had been accumulated after the removal of fuel subsidy than by previous administrations combined.
According to him, Nigeria’s challenges cut across ethnic and religious divides, stressing the need for collective action.
“It is no longer time we can talk about tribe; no tribe buys bread cheaper; it is not a time for religion; no religion buys bread cheaper. They are all suffering,” he said.
Obi maintained that Nigeria’s problems stem from poor leadership rather than lack of resources, expressing optimism that a new political direction could change the country’s trajectory.
“This country is not poor; it is being badly led,” Obi said, reiterating that the African Democratic Congress was committed to providing solutions to the nation’s challenges.
“We want to do the right thing for the country; the country has suffered enough,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy National Chairman of the ADC for the South-South zone, Senator Andrew Uchendu, said Nigeria had failed in virtually all sectors, stressing the need for urgent reforms and responsible leadership to address the country’s socio-economic and security challenges.