Nigerians must stand up against starvation and economic hardship, says Peter Obi

Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 general elections, believes that the power to ensure credible elections rests with the Nigerian people, and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will only act in accordance with the electorate's resolve.

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Obi made this statement on Friday after attending the burial service of the late Pa Simon Okorie Abaa, father of the NDC senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South, Chief Linus Okorie, at Isiama Primary School, Onicha Igboeze, in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where he spoke with journalists.

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Obi described his relationship with Okorie as longstanding, recalling their previous collaboration in the Labour Party before joining the NDC, and noted that they had worked together before in the Labour Party and were now together in the NDC.

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Obi expressed his condolences, saying "We are here today to pay our last respects to his late father" and prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

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He further prayed, "May God continue to bless the family," and expressed his sympathy for the family's loss.

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Regarding the 2027 general election, Obi stated that his confidence was not solely in the Independent National Electoral Commission, but rather in the determination of Nigerians to defend their votes.

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Obi emphasized that the power to determine the outcome of the elections lies with the people, saying "If the people insist that their votes will count, their votes will count."

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He urged Nigerians to reflect on the current state of the country and consider the future of their children, asking "Are we going to continue in this direction?"

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Obi lamented the worsening economic situation, noting that poverty and hunger had reached alarming levels, with "Every day poverty is increasing" and "Every day hunger is increasing".

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He cited the fact that approximately 70 million Nigerians are facing acute hunger, and questioned what actions would be taken to address this issue, saying "What are we going to do about it?"

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Obi argued that it is not possible for the country to continue in its current state, saying "Are we going to continue like this? No. That is not possible".

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Regarding concerns about intimidation and harassment of opposition supporters during the elections, Obi stated that Nigerians are already suffering from economic hardship, saying "For me, every Nigerian is already being harassed by hunger".

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He emphasized that the current situation affects everyone, saying "Everybody is affected" and urged Nigerians to take a stand, saying "It is time for Nigerians to tell those who are harassing us that enough is enough".