Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized Nigeria’s political elite, including himself, for focusing on partisan struggles while over 141 million citizens live in abject poverty. In a social media post on Thursday, Obi highlighted World Bank figures showing the number of impoverished Nigerians surged from 81 million in 2019 to approximately 139 million in 2025, with projections reaching 141 million by 2026. “As we politicians scramble for positions and vie for control of party structures, often sharing posts even before elections are concluded, a harsh truth confronts our nation,” Obi stated.
He emphasized that the alarming statistic means more than half of Nigeria’s population has fallen below the poverty line, marking a stark contrast to countries like India and Indonesia, which have dramatically reduced poverty through sustained investments in social welfare.
Obi further pointed to a Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 report, which warns that weak income growth and high living costs will continue to exacerbate poverty, disproportionately impacting low-income households where food constitutes up to 70% of spending. “This rising tide of poverty weakens purchasing power, diminishes demand, and places immense pressure on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises,” he noted.
The former candidate lamented Nigeria’s regression from a 40% poverty rate in 2000 to 62% today, urging robust job creation and social protection programs. He concluded, “Nigerians cannot continue to tolerate the reality that a child born in Nigeria today faces one of the highest risks of being born into poverty anywhere in the world.”