No country can rise with majority trapped in poverty – Obi

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, saying “No nation can truly rise when the majority of its people are trapped in poverty.”

Obi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, cited a recent World Bank report released on October 8, 2025, which he said shows that about 139 million Nigerians are now living in poverty, a sharp increase from the 87 million reported in 2023 when President Bola Tinubu assumed office.

He described the figure as “a heartbreaking reflection of how deeply our nation is failing its citizens,” adding that the situation should have triggered urgent national action rather than government rebuttals.

“What is even more concerning is that this devastating revelation has not led to an emergency and national discussion on how to effectively pull millions of our people out of poverty, but instead caused a rebuttal from the government, when the news already reflects the daily struggles of the ordinary Nigerian,” Obi stated.

The former governor said the worsening economic reality contradicts government claims of progress through reforms, arguing that the policies lack direction and a people-centred focus.

“The reasons these reforms are not working are due to the lack of a clear plan and determination to channel the supposed gains into feasible and productive areas that will benefit the people and improve overall growth,” he said.

Obi urged the government to adopt deliberate, people-oriented reforms that prioritise production over consumption, support small businesses and farmers, and invest in education and healthcare.

No nation can truly rise when the majority of its people are trapped in poverty. With the right leadership, we can make Nigeria work for every Nigerian,” Obi concluded.

culled from punch.