In a compelling appeal, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s 2024 budget allocations. Obi emphasises the critical need for the Executive and Legislative branches to reassess the budget. His focus is on reallocating resources to vital areas such as security, poverty reduction, and addressing the nation’s hunger, food insecurity, and power supply challenges.
Immediate Action for a Brighter Future
Obi’s plea comes at a time when Nigeria faces significant national distress, highlighted by a startling increase in kidnappings. With around 7,000 Nigerians abducted last year and 700 in just the past three weeks, the country stands as one of the most dangerous places worldwide. The Financial Times recently depicted Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis as a sign of a failing state, raising concerns over its ability to attract and retain investments.
Addressing Core Issues
The Labour Party candidate pinpointed the dire situation of food security, with Nigeria grappling with soaring food prices and a significant portion of its population living without reliable electricity. According to the 2022 Energy Progress Report, Nigeria tops the list of countries with the most significant number of people lacking access to electricity, affecting over 92 million citizens.
Moreover, Obi highlighted the healthcare sector’s crisis, with about 80% of Nigeria’s primary healthcare centres non-operational. This reality leaves many without access to affordable medical treatments and medications. The education sector also faces dire challenges, with Nigeria accounting for the highest number of out-of-school children globally, estimated at 20 million.
A Unified Call for Change
Peter Obi’s call for a budgetary review is more than a policy critique; it’s a call to action for the government to prioritize reallocating resources to address these critical issues. His message underscores the importance of sacrifice and collective effort to forge a “New Nigeria” – one that is hopeful and prosperous.
This urgent need for policy adjustments represents a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s leadership to act decisively, ensuring the nation’s budget reflects its commitment to solving the immediate needs of its people.
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