Nigerians are not that hungry — APC chieftain

All Progressives Congress (APC) member Alwan Hassan has declared that Nigerians are not as hungry as opposition politicians claim, despite growing concerns over the rising cost of living. During a Tuesday interview on Channels Television, Hassan dismissed the opposition's description of the 2027 political contest as a battle between President Bola Tinubu and "hungry Nigerians" as mere political rhetoric.

"That is an opposition rhetoric. People are not that hungry," Hassan asserted, emphasizing his familiarity with the country's situation.

Hassan further argued that the decline in food prices in some markets was proof that the Federal Government's policies were gradually impacting food costs. He pointed out that farmers were complaining about falling prices of agricultural produce, attributing the situation to the government's importation of food commodities, which are reducing prices.

"People are not that hungry the way the opposition are portraying it," he said, adding that farmers were unhappy because food prices were dropping. "In fact, farmers are complaining because foodstuffs are down in the market. Why? Because this government is importing and reducing the prices."

When questioned on the merits of food imports, Hassan conceded that Nigeria is not yet self-sufficient in food production, but defended the imports as a temporary measure to bridge the country's food supply gaps. He maintained that while efforts are being made to improve local production, the government had to rely on imports in the meantime. "We cannot feed ourselves. No, but while we do things to now cover up on the gaps, well, in the meantime, we must import," he concluded.