A former governor of Anambra State and a presidential candidate for the Labour Party in 2023, expressed concerns about the current state of Nigeria, citing that 38 million people are on the brink of extreme hunger.
He criticized the administration led by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress for what he termed as extravagant spending, which he believes has exacerbated the hardships faced by Nigerians.
Some examples of what he considered wasteful spending include the purchase of a new presidential jet for $100 million, N21 billion allocated for the renovation of the vice president’s lodge, and N15 billion for the construction of the National Assembly clinic.
Emphasizing the disparity between the government’s spending and the people’s suffering, he stated, “You cannot ask people to fast while you are feasting.”
During an interview with News Central TV, he advocated for the Federal Government to prioritize key development areas such as health, education, poverty alleviation, and security using the limited resources available.
Highlighting the dire situation in the country, he mentioned that Nigeria currently has 38 million people facing extreme hunger, making it the poverty capital of the world. He stressed the urgent need to invest in agriculture to combat hunger, unemployment, and inflation.
He also hinted at the possibility of forming a coalition with other opposition parties to address the issues of hunger and insecurity before the 2027 presidential election.