Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says hunger in Nigeria should be declared a national emergency.
Obi stated this in a message posted on his X handle on Friday to mark World Food Day, saying he joined Nigerian rural women who produce food that sustains population as world marked International Rural Women Day on Wednesday.
The politician said what became clear is that hunger in the country must be declared a national emergency.
He said as world marks World Food Day, Nigerians are confronting the painful reality that hunger, poverty and insecurity continue 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, down from 109th out of 125 in 2023 when the current administration came into office, adding that the Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that about 36 million Nigerians will face acute hunger this year.
He said tragedy is more painful because Nigeria has vast, arable and fertile land, yet about 60 percent remains uncultivated, providing forest hideouts for terrorist organisations and other non-state actors.
He said on World Food Day the message is clear that 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.
Obi said under his leadership, the country would be secured and hardworking farmers returned to farms with targeted grants, subsidies and other forms of support.
He said, “Together, we can build Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry and every farmer can work in peace and dignity. A New Nigeria is Possible.”
