Nigeria@66: Over 140m Nigerians in abject poverty – Obi
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a sobering address demanding an immediate structural overhaul of the nation’s governance. He warned that persistent leadership failures have pushed over 140 million Nigerians into severe hardship and abject poverty. In an official Independence Day […]
On Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary, presidential contender Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) delivered an address critical of the nation's governance. He warned that leadership shortcomings have left more than 140 million Nigerians in abject poverty and hardship. Obi emphasized that while October 1 should be a day of gratitude for Nigeria's potential, it should also prompt honest reflection on the country's current state.
He detailed a range of systemic crises, including over 140 million citizens living in extreme poverty with projections of more than 40 million facing starvation by 2026. Obi also highlighted the surge in out-of-school children to 18 million and an estimated 35 million unemployed or underemployed youths. Drug abuse among Nigerian youth reached 14%, more than double the global average of 6%, and high infant and maternal mortality rates persisted, with a national life expectancy of 54 years, significantly lower than the global average of 74 years.
Terrorism, banditry, and mass abductions threatened lives, with a recent incident resulting in the death of 37 young Nigerians. Obi visited an IDP camp in Sokoto State, witnessing thousands of displaced women and children lacking basic necessities like healthcare, clean water, and schooling. He emphasized that the suffering he witnessed was not isolated but reflected the broader national crisis.
Rejecting the notion of Nigeria being cursed, Obi blamed leadership failures for the nation's plight, arguing that the country's tragedy stems from ineffective conversion of wealth into productivity, safety, and shared welfare. He outlined his vision for a presidency, committed to reforms aimed at shifting Nigeria from a consumption-focused model to a productive economy driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and human development.
Obi promised to eradicate terrorism and banditry, allowing farmers to safely return to their fields and displaced families to leave IDP camps.
As President, Obi vowed to spend all official holidays within Nigerian states to connect with citizens' daily realities. He concluded by urging citizens to demand accountability and refuse to accept failure as their destiny, emphasizing that real change requires sustained civic responsibility and principled leadership.
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