Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern regarding an avoidable food crisis currently affecting northern Nigeria. His comments follow a recent United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) report indicating that more than 17 million individuals across nine northern states are facing crisis-level hunger, marking the region's most severe food shortage in nearly a decade.

Obi attributed the escalating situation to a failure in leadership, emphasizing that the North possesses vast, fertile, and largely uncultivated land capable of serving as the nation's agricultural hub. He noted that over 35 million Nigerians nationwide are at risk of food insecurity during the current lean season, with more than 10,000 residents in Borno State already experiencing catastrophic hunger conditions.

According to Obi, the crisis is driven by two main structural issues: persistent insecurity and the inability of farmers to safely access their fields. He pointed out that ongoing banditry and insurgent activities have displaced many agrarian communities, severely disrupting agricultural productivity.

To address the emergency, Obi urged both the Federal Government and state authorities to take immediate, transparent action by investing in the security of agricultural corridors and providing necessary resources to smallholder farmers. He also called for enhanced collaboration with the WFP to secure funding and prevent further loss of life, particularly among vulnerable children.

The latest Cadre Harmonisé analysis released by the WFP confirms that conflict and diminishing humanitarian aid have intensified food insecurity in the region, leading to a rise of nearly two million severely hungry individuals compared to previous estimates.