Peter Obi Criticizes Tinubu Over Hunger Remarks and Economic Hardship
Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, denounced President Bola Tinubu’s comment that hunger has always existed in Nigeria as insensitive. Obi said the current administration has seen food insecurity rise from about 17 million to roughly 35 million people and extreme poverty increase from an estimated 87 million to nearly 140 million since 2023. He warned that around 70 million Nigerians now face acute hunger and urged the government to prioritize agriculture, education, health and security.
The presidency’s senior aide Temitope Ajayi mocked Obi’s claims, asserting that poverty rates ballooned in Anambra State while Obi was governor. The Obidient Movement refuted rumours that its national coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, had been removed, calling the reports false. Peter Obi’s media office also warned supporters against misinformation campaigns aimed at dividing the movement. Additionally, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo accused Obi of fabricating an incident at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, and Obi said he would have entered the forest where Oyo State pupils were abducted to secure their release if he were president.
Entities: African Democratic Congress · Bola Tinubu · Festus Keyamo · Kenneth Okonkwo · Nigeria Democratic Congress · Obidient Movement · Peter Obi · Rabi’u Kwankwaso · Temitope Ajayi · Yinusa Tanko · Yunusa Tanko
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Obi claimed the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty increased from roughly 87 million in 2023 to nearly 140 million. (Peter Obi)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kwankwaso’s spokesman said Peter Obi is not happy about a leadership dispute within the OK Movement. (Interview with Ladipo Johnson on Arise Television.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Obi said acute food insecurity rose from about 17 million to about 35 million Nigerians since the Tinubu administration began. (Peter Obi)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Peter Obi criticized President Bola Tinubu's comment that hunger has always existed in Nigeria, calling it insensitive. (Peter Obi)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kenneth Okonkwo called Peter Obi a classless, non‑charismatic politician. (Kenneth Okonkwo)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Obidient Movement said Yunusa Tanko remains its national coordinator, denying reports of his removal. (Obidient Movement)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kenneth Okonkwo said his comments about Peter Obi were posted publicly on X and Instagram. (Kenneth Okonkwo)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kenneth Okonkwo defended himself against a defamation suit filed by Peter Obi, arguing the suit targets statements already made. (Kenneth Okonkwo)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Temitope Ajayi said poverty rates ballooned in Anambra State while Peter Obi was governor. (9eb39ee0-4b22-43c4-a46a-d07a8fd104b4, 68dc7cbe-4c65-4ea9-8d4d-3b8a464e4c47)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Bola Tinubu said hunger has always existed in Nigeria, even before he was born. (f33f1c4b-0f42-4e45-ac4a-d7c372335a20)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Peter Obi claimed the number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty increased from an estimated 87 million in 2023 to nearly 140 million. (f33f1c4b-0f42-4e45-ac4a-d7c372335a20, 2c7393bc-07cf-49b0-91d4-10fa71edc7c5, d510d000-fc47-4d21-b668-49deb3c6d848)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Peter Obi said the number of Nigerians facing acute food insecurity rose from about 17 million to about 35 million since 2023. (f33f1c4b-0f42-4e45-ac4a-d7c372335a20, fc2a99c2-6e3f-48dd-8ca1-99dd6601bf5f, d510d000-fc47-4d21-b668-49deb3c6d848, 2c7393)