The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has decried the level of hunger in the country, describing it as a national emergency.
In a post on his verified X account on Friday, Obi said hunger had become a national emergency in Nigeria.
His remarks came as the world marked World Food Day. He said Nigerians were confronting a painful reality in which hunger, poverty and insecurity continued to affect millions of families across the country.
According to him, Nigeria is now one of the hungriest countries in the world, ranking 117th out of 125 countries, down from 109th out of 125 in 2023, when the current administration came into office.
The former Anambra State governor added that the situation was particularly troubling because Nigeria has vast areas of arable, fertile land. He lamented that about 60 per cent remained uncultivated, providing forest hideouts for terrorist organisations and other non-state actors.
“What became clear to me is that hunger in the country must be declared a national emergency. On World Food Day, the message is clear: Nigerians deserve a country where no family goes to bed hungry, farmers can work without fear, and poverty and insecurity are confronted with urgency and compassion.
“The fight against hunger must be treated as a national emergency. Under our leadership, we will secure the country and return our hardworking farmers to their farms. They will receive targeted grants, subsidies, and other forms of support.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry and every farmer can work in peace and dignity. A New Nigeria is possible,” he wrote.
Hunger in Nigeria now national emergency – Peter Obi cries out