The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has criticised the Bola Tinubu administration for failing to address the worsening insecurity and poverty in the country.  

In a New Year message on Thursday, Mr Obi stated that over 250 million Nigerians are poor, a situation that has worsened since Mr Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023, following his infamous “fuel subsidy is gone” declaration.  

“Nigeria remains one of the poverty capitals of the world, with over 100 million people living in extreme poverty and more than 150 million in multidimensional poverty,” said Mr. Obi.  

The former Anambra state governor also stated that the situation has deteriorated significantly over the past 18 months under the current administration.  

He expressed sadness over the lack of peace in the country, highlighting how deadly terrorists from various sects kidnap for ransom, kill innocent citizens, and seize lands. This has left many survivors, including the wives and children of slain victims, either homeless or relocated to camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).  

“Nigeria remains one of the most insecure and least peaceful nations in the world, with countless communities and families displaced from their homes and now living in IDP camps,” Mr Obi said.  

“According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), Nigeria ranks 143rd out of 163 countries in terms of peacefulness – an indication of a high level of distress.”