Obi also noted that the current Argentine govt and the Tinubu-led administration started the same year
By Kehinde Okeowo
Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has traced Nigeria’s lack of development to corruption, criminality, lack of compassion and incompetent leadership.
The former Anambra State made this known on Monday in a post he shared on his official X page.
According to him, 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.
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While comparing the situation in the country under President Bola Tinubu to what is obtainable in Argentina, he asserted that inflation, which is nearly 30 per cent, coupled with unemployment and economic mismanagement, has eroded Nigeria’s middle class.
“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 further 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.
“Two years may not be enough to change a nation with a 100% turn around but it is more than enough to kickstart the transformation journey” the LP chieftain argued.
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.
