Peter Obi blames insecurity, poor leadership for deepening hunger in North

Peter Obi has expressed concern over worsening food insecurity in northern Nigeria, warning that the region is facing a humanitarian emergency driven by insecurity, poor governance and declining agricultural production.

In a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, the former Anambra State governor cited recent findings by the World Food Programme, which indicate that millions of residents across northern Nigeria are struggling to access adequate food.

According to Obi, the situation is particularly troubling because the region has historically served as Nigeria’s major food-producing belt.

He said the latest figures suggest that more than 17 million people across nine northern states are experiencing severe food shortages, while over 35 million Nigerians could face food insecurity during the current lean season.

Obi also highlighted reports that more than 10,000 people in Borno State have fallen into what humanitarian agencies classify as catastrophic hunger, describing the development as a national tragedy.

The former presidential candidate attributed the crisis largely to persistent insecurity, arguing that attacks by bandits and insurgents have forced thousands of farmers off their lands, disrupted food production and displaced rural communities.

He maintained that restoring security in farming communities should be a top priority, warning that Nigeria cannot achieve food security while agricultural areas remain unsafe.

Obi urged the Federal Government and state authorities to shift attention from political rhetoric to practical interventions by protecting farming corridors, supporting smallholder farmers and investing in agricultural production.

He also called for stronger collaboration with humanitarian organisations, including the World Food Programme, to address funding shortfalls and prevent the food crisis from worsening, especially among vulnerable children and displaced families.

The remarks followed a recent WFP assessment, based on the Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis, which warned that conflict, displacement and dwindling humanitarian funding have pushed northern Nigeria towards its most severe hunger crisis in almost a decade.