Obi reduced the increase in Nigerian poverty, mentioning Argentina as a model for economic turnover

The former presidential candidate from the Labor Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating hunger, poverty, and economic difficulties in Nigeria.

He blamed the crisis for what he called “incompetent leadership without capacity and affection.”

In a statement posted on X on Monday, Obi said hunger and poverty are no longer an abstract figure but “The harsh reality faced by millions of our people every day.”

He referred to this new UN data which shows that “around 34 million Nigerians will face acute food vulnerability, and around 63% of our population, which is around 133 million people, now live in multidimensional poverty.”

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Former Governor Anambra criticized the current economic path, noting that “inflation even with statistics that are reduced by almost 30%, while unemployment and misinterporation of the economy almost destroy our middle class that was once enthusiastic. Families who have lived a stable life are now slipping into poverty.”

Obi withdrew parallel with Argentina, which he said had faced the same economic pressure but recorded a significant increase in two years through disciplined governance.

“In Argentina, more than 52% of its population lived in poverty in early 2024 … However, in two years … the newly inaugurated president was able to reduce poverty to 38.1% of 52% … with inflation of only about 2-3% every month,” he said, adding that investors of trust in South American countries were greeted.

He stressed that the transition of Nigerian and Argentine leadership occurred in the same year, underlines his belief that while “two years may not be enough to change the country with a change of bow 100%, it is more than enough to start a transformation journey … if the leadership is honest, focused, and committed to people.”

Calling for urgent reforms, Obi insists that “Nigeria can work. We can reduce hunger, and restore dignity to Nigerians. But this will not happen while corruption and criminal dominate our government.”

He urged leaders to prioritize wise resource management, reject corruption practices, and focus on education, health care, and poverty alleviation.