Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, has made a public appeal for a thorough reassessment of Nigeria’s 2024 budget.
He points to the alarming state of national security, the prevalence of poverty, the crisis of food scarcity, and the decay of infrastructure as critical issues that necessitate this call for action.
In a recent statement, Obi addressed the ongoing debates over the budget’s resource distribution, saying,
“In light of the ongoing debates and after examining the budgetary allocations, I am compelled to call for a complete overhaul of the budget.”
He urged the government’s executive and legislative bodies to promptly commence a review process, highlighting the importance of reallocating funds to vital sectors.
“It’s crucial that we act swiftly to reassess the budget while it’s still early in its execution phase, allowing for the necessary reallocation of resources to essential areas,” Obi insisted.
The former governor underscored the dire need for substantial investment in areas such as national security, poverty reduction, food availability, and energy supply.
“Our national budget must reflect a commitment to these critical sectors, particularly in these challenging times,” he added.
Obi’s statement brings to the forefront the struggles faced by Nigerians with regard to hunger, food insecurity, and the lack of reliable electricity, calling for a budget that better serves the needs of the nation.
“We have become one of the hungriest nations in the world and one of the most difficult nations in the world to live in, with food prices constantly going out of the reach of most Nigerians. Power supply is abysmally poor, and Nigerians are now mostly in total darkness, as over 60% are without power supply,” he lamented.
“We now hold the enviable position of having the highest number of out of school children, with about 20 million out-of-school children. We need to take our children off the streets and give them access to basic education.
“I, therefore, urge our executive and legislative arms to consider the many challenges facing our nation and re-allocate resources to these very critical areas. This is the time for complete sacrifice,” Obi wrote.
