Peter Obi Warns of Impending Food Crisis in Nigeria: The Need for Urgent Action

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, raised the alarm about the looming food crisis in Nigeria.

Citing reports from the Daily Post Nigeria and international agencies, Obi expressed concern over the growing number of food-insecure Nigerians, which is projected to reach 100 million by Q1 2024.

Obi emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, highlighting that the current situation is even worse than the figures reported.

He pointed out that many Nigerians have lost their lives in their quest to find food, and the survival of the fittest mentality is becoming more prevalent as hunger and desperation grow.

The primary cause of this impending crisis is the rampant insecurity in the country, particularly the terror attacks on farmers by bandits.

This has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, resulting in a significant decline in food production.

In states like Sokoto, farmers have paid an accumulated sum of N3 billion in ransom to bandits, while others are forced to pay as much as N100,000 just to access their farmlands.

This year alone, 165 farmers have reportedly lost their lives to insecurity.

The consequences of this insecurity extend beyond the immediate threat to farmers. The disruption of food production is leading to a rapid increase in food prices and shortages, exacerbating the already dire situation.

The Nigerian government must take immediate and decisive action to address the root causes of insecurity and create a safe environment for farmers to return to their lands.

Peter Obi stressed the importance of tackling insecurity to reduce food insecurity.

He believes that a New and hunger-free Nigeria is possible if the government can solve the problems of insecurity and enable farmers to safely return to their farms.

The international community, stakeholders in the agriculture sector, and the Nigerian people must work together to ensure that the alarm raised by Peter Obi and others is given the attention it deserves.