Peter Obi Slams Tinubu's Economic Policies as Nigeria Faces Hunger Crisis
Lagos, Nigeria – July 28, 2025
Labour Party leader and former presidential candidate Peter Obi has taken a direct swipe at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of failing to live up to his 2022 campaign promise to prioritize food security. In a strongly worded post on X earlier today, Obi pointed to Nigeria’s worsening hunger crisis, citing the 2024 Global Hunger Index which ranks the country among the hungriest nations in the world with a score of 28.8.
A Broken Promise?
Obi reminded Nigerians of Tinubu’s now-famous campaign rally in Delta State, where he dismissed Obi’s reliance on data-driven governance with the remark, “Na statistics we go chop? All I want is to put food on the table of Nigerians.” Two years into Tinubu’s presidency, Obi argues that the promise remains unfulfilled. He referenced the World Food Programme’s 2025 report, which revealed that over 1.3 million Nigerians have required emergency aid due to a combination of conflict, inflation, and climate shocks.
The former Anambra State governor also criticized the government’s recent GDP rebasing, which the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced in July 2025, adjusting Nigeria’s GDP to N205.1 trillion—a 41.7% jump in 2019 terms. While the government celebrated the rebasing as proof of economic growth in emerging sectors like marine trade and e-commerce, Obi dismissed it as “window dressing” meant to mask the reality of empty stomachs and deepening poverty.
Economic Data Under Scrutiny
Obi’s critique has reignited debate over the reliability of official statistics. Analysts note that the NBS’s own figures show a dramatic -61.18% drop in real household consumption expenditure in Q2 2024 compared to the previous year, raising questions about the disconnect between GDP growth and everyday living conditions. Critics on social media, including X user @TheSerahIbrahim, accused the government of “cooking the books,” while others described the administration’s economic agenda—popularly dubbed “Tinubunomics”—as punishing ordinary Nigerians.
Economic experts remain divided. The World Bank has praised Tinubu’s reforms, such as the 2023 removal of fuel subsidies and naira devaluation, arguing they lay the foundation for long-term stability. However, these measures have also triggered inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, leaving millions struggling to afford basic necessities. Obi contends that without “sincerity of purpose, character, competence, and compassion,” economic policies will fail to address Nigeria’s human development needs.
Public Reaction and Political Tensions
Obi’s post has ignited social media, with his supporters—the “Obidients”—amplifying his message. X user @Morris_Monye described the crisis as “the worst hunger in Nigerian history during peacetime,” while another, @dangbanamanager, accused the government of “using fake statistics to justify failure.” The unusually sharp tone of Obi’s remarks even drew humor from some users, with @sportsdokitor commenting on the “vawolence” of his words.
So far, Tinubu’s allies have refrained from a direct response, though many point to his track record as a political strategist who has weathered storms before, from NADECO activism to his pivotal role in the 2015 APC coalition victory. The clash underscores a growing ideological divide as both men position themselves for influence in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
A Call for Change
Obi concluded his post with his trademark slogan, “A new Nigeria is POssible,” reiterating his call for governance anchored in accountability and empathy. As the nation battles economic headwinds and food insecurity, this confrontation between two political heavyweights highlights the urgent question facing Nigeria: can leadership deliver not just numbers, but nourishment?
This article is based on verified data and social media updates as of 12:04 PM WAT, July 28, 2025, incorporating sources including the National Bureau of Statistics, Global Hunger Index, and the World Food Programme.
