Former presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has raised considerations over what he described as a worsening poverty disaster in Nigeria.
Obi made the remarks in a assertion shared on his official web page, citing findings from a coverage report launched by Agora Coverage.
In accordance to him, the report exhibits a sharp improve in the nation’s poverty fee in current years.
“The poverty fee in our nation has risen from about 40 per cent earlier than the present reforms to over 63 per cent as we speak,” Obi acknowledged.
With Nigeria’s inhabitants estimated at over 220 million, he famous that the figures counsel extra than 140 million residents could now be residing beneath the poverty line.
“For a nation of over 220 million folks, this means that properly above 140 million Nigerians are residing in poverty,” he added.
The former governor of Anambra State additional noticed that many households are struggling to meet fundamental wants, together with meals, transportation, hire, and healthcare.
Obi additionally criticised what he described as a disconnect between the {economic} hardship confronted by residents and authorities spending.
“You can not ask the residents to quick whereas you feast. Sacrifice should start from the prime,” he mentioned.
He harassed that {economic} reforms ought to prioritise residents’ welfare and present safety for weak {groups}.