LP slams APC over worsening poverty

The Labour Party (LP) has expressed deep concern over the worsening poverty and hunger plaguing Nigeria under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This follows the emergence of a viral video showing a long queue of Nigerians waiting for foodstuffs at President Bola Tinubu’s Bourdillon residence in Lagos on Christmas Eve.

The video, shared by Senator Ali Ndume via his official X account, highlights the growing economic hardship faced by millions of Nigerians. Reacting to the development, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, condemned the APC government for driving more Nigerians into poverty, reducing many to the level of beggars.

In a statement, Ifoh lamented the state of the nation, urging the APC to acknowledge the grim reality of widespread hunger and economic distress. “It is disheartening to see the APC government exacerbate poverty and create a society where people are forced to queue for food during the festive season,” he said.

He added, “The statistics are undeniable. Many Nigerians do not even feel the spirit of Christmas because of the unbearable cost of living. Imagine a bag of rice selling for N100,000. It is now clear to everyone, even the blind and deaf, that hunger has gripped the nation.”

Ifoh warned that if the situation persists, “a time will come when even able-bodied professionals in suits and ties will line up with plates at Bourdillon.”

Drawing comparisons with global statistics, Ifoh pointed out that Nigeria, with a population of just 240 million, is ranked second only to India—a nation of over a billion people—in terms of poverty levels. “Our poverty rate exceeds 40%, and unemployment stands at over 70%. These are alarming figures that reveal the depth of the crisis,” he stated.

The Labour Party called on the APC-led government to address the dire economic conditions urgently, emphasizing that the growing poverty and hunger in the country have become a national and international embarrassment.