Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu for saying that Nigeria is not the only country struggling with poverty and hunger.
Tinubu made the statement on Monday in Lagos while receiving a delegation from the National Assembly who came to felicitate him on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.
In a press release on Friday, Obi said what Nigerians need is a roadmap for bringing people out of poverty, not comparison.
“The problems facing Nigeria are well-known to all Nigerians. We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, the highest income gap between the poor and the rich, high corruption perception index, infrastructure and healthcare challenges, and more,” he began.
“It is disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address our problems, make statements like “we are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger.” Instead of merely acknowledging that other countries face similar challenges, we need to hear a thorough plan of action to tackle our unique struggles.
“We require concrete solutions and a clear vision to address these issues, not comparisons that downplay our circumstances. I urge those in leadership positions to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges. We need a comprehensive approach to tackle our specific challenges, not generalizations that dismiss our experiences. A true leader provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis.
This is the hallmark of visionary leadership and a trait of nations that are making progress and advancing their development. They don’t simply state the obvious but offer a roadmap for overcoming obstacles.”
In driving home his point, Obi used the analogy of a pilot who does not just announce turbulence; but assures passengers that everything possible would be done to ensure a safe journey.
