Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has decried the current state of the nation, calling it depressing.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Obi stated that the last two years are pointers to the next general election.
While paying homage to the late MKO Abiola, he added that politicians have paid the ultimate price for democracy.
“It is deeply troubling that under the current administration, Nigeria cannot be said to be in a democracy, even though the current president was part of the struggle to bring back democracy.
“The state of the nation is depressing as the economy and security are at an all-time low, and even key indicators for measuring national progress like health care, education and production.
“In 2023, about 38.9% of Nigerians lived below the poverty line, but it has now increased to 54%. Less than 10% of primary health care centres across the country are functioning.
“I have travelled to several states in the last six months, and I have had to make interventions in maternity wards where giving birth is a 50/50 chance of survival for both mother and child,” Obi said.
On the hunger crisis and food insecurity in the nation, the former Anambra governor said they were at an all-time high as most Nigerians are unable to afford basic food items.
Obi noted that due to the above, many resort to “professional begging”.
“Due to this, the World Health Organisation released a report saying over 20 million Nigerians have mental health issues.
“Yet such monies have not been used to better the lot of the people, as corruption is now at an all-time high, with the national assembly blatantly padding the 2025 budget.
“Nigerians now pay more tariffs for more darkness. This is against the president’s promise during his campaign, where he said if he didn’t give Nigerians power in four years, they should not vote for him for a second term.”