Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said about one hundred million Nigerians live in abject poverty due to misrule and mismanagement of the nation’s economy by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters at the popular Nkwo Nnewi market in Anambra State, Obi said nearly 65 million citizens were poor in 2012, but today, over 100 million have been subjected to poverty.
Obi, however, told the enthusiastic crowd that he and his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, are prepared to change the narrative.
He said they would transform the economy and living standards of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion, gender, social class or political affiliation.
He said: “We have chosen to build a new Nigeria, where there will be security of life and property. When I was governor, bank robbery and criminality were almost impossible. All the notorious bandits were sent out. We are going to do the same nationwide.
“The way to do it is to move Nigeria from consumption to production. I assure you that all industries in Nnewi will become operational again. Our governments have always told us they were going to resuscitate and reactivate the industries. But how many of you have received any such assistance from the Federal Government?”
The crowd chorused: “None!”
Obi said while he was a governor, he transformed schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure without much challenges.
According to him, “It’s the duty of government to make life easy for the citizens, not overburden them with taxation. I am a Nigerian who is most qualified and prepared to lead this nation out of prevailing difficulties and poverty.”
In her remarks, popular human rights activist, Aisha Yusuf, charged Nigerians to go to polling booths on February 25, 2023 and vote Obi and Yusuf Datti-Ahmed to save the country.
On his part, the former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra, Valentine Ozigbo, noted that Nigerians are tired and need change.