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Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi on Saturday warned that Nigeria faces unprecedented levels of poverty and insecurity, urging citizens to unite and address governance challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi spoke in Asaba, Delta State, during the official declaration and integration of the State Obidient Movement into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move he described as part of broader efforts to offer practical solutions to national problems.
According to Obi, around 150 million Nigerians currently live below the poverty line, a figure he said is “unacceptable” given the country’s population of roughly 250 million. He contrasted Nigeria’s situation with that of China and India, noting that despite a combined population of nearly three billion in the two Asian countries, Nigeria has more people living in poverty.
“Our country today has more people living in poverty than China and India combined. These two countries are nearly three billion and we are just 250 million but we have more people living in poverty than the two of them combined,” Obi said. “Our country today is one of the most insecure countries of the world. Our country today is one of the hungriest in the world.”
Obi also criticised the federal government’s economic management, particularly in relation to fuel subsidies and borrowing. He said the administration, after removing fuel subsidies, had accumulated more debt than all previous governments combined.
“It is no longer time we can talk about tribe; no tribe buys bread cheaper; it is not a time for religion; no religion buys bread cheaper. They are all suffering,” Obi added. He framed the ADC’s platform as a means to confront these challenges directly, saying the party was committed to implementing policies that prioritize national welfare rather than political interests.
“This country is not poor; it is being badly led,” he said. “We want to do the right thing for the country; the country has suffered enough.”
Obi’s comments come amid growing concerns over inflation, food insecurity, and violence in parts of Nigeria, which has one of the largest populations in Africa and continues to face persistent socio-economic and security challenges.
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The integration of the State Obidient Movement into the ADC is part of Obi’s broader political strategy as he prepares for the 2027 elections. The ADC, which maintains a presence in multiple states across the federation, has positioned itself as an alternative platform aiming to address governance deficits identified by the opposition.
During the event, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Deputy National Chairman of the ADC for the South-South Zone, supported Obi’s remarks, saying Nigeria had “failed in all facets of life.” Uchendu emphasised the need for systemic reforms and collective action to improve economic and security conditions nationwide. Obi’s message highlighted the intersection of economic hardship and security concerns, which have intensified in recent years due to insurgency, banditry, and intercommunal conflicts in several regions. Analysts note that despite Nigeria’s significant oil revenue and natural resources, wealth distribution remains uneven, contributing to widespread poverty and hunger.
The Labour Party candidate’s focus on unity across ethnic and religious lines underscores a recurring theme in Nigerian politics, where identity-based divisions often shape electoral discourse. Obi framed the 2027 elections as an opportunity for citizens to hold leaders accountable and to implement policies aimed at national recovery.
Obi and the ADC are yet to release detailed policy proposals outlining specific measures to reduce poverty and enhance security, but his remarks suggested a focus on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development, and social welfare interventions.
Read further: Taxing People Without Trust Is Robbery – Peter Obi
Observers note that Nigeria’s economic challenges are compounded by high unemployment rates, declining purchasing power, and persistent inflation. Food prices have risen sharply in many urban and rural areas, prompting concern among civil society groups and international organisations.
The ADC’s formal endorsement of Obi in Delta State signals a consolidation of political support ahead of the next general election cycle. Party officials emphasised that their collaboration is intended to present a unified platform capable of addressing the structural governance gaps identified by Obi and other opposition figures.
Obi concluded his address by appealing to Nigerians to work together beyond tribal or religious affiliations. “We must come together as one family to rescue this country from bad governance,” he said.
The event in Asaba marked one of Obi’s first major political engagements in the South-South region ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts suggest that such outreach efforts are part of a broader strategy to expand the candidate’s appeal in regions beyond the party’s traditional strongholds, while highlighting pressing socio-economic issues that affect millions of Nigerians.
