Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plunging over 50 million Nigerians into poverty within two years, bringing the total number of poor citizens to 139 million.

In a post on X, Obi cited a recent World Bank report released on October 8, 2025, showing that 139 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line — a steep rise from 87 million in 2023, when Tinubu assumed office.

In the post titled “APC Government Policies and Style Have Impoverished Several Million Nigerians in Just Two Years,” Obi described the data as “a heartbreaking reflection of how deeply our nation is failing its citizens.”

“What is even more concerning,” he wrote, “is that this devastating revelation has not led to an emergency national discussion on how to pull millions of people out of poverty, but instead prompted government rebuttals — even when the reality reflects the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.”

Obi argued that the government’s economic reforms lacked clarity, direction, and a people-centred focus. “These reforms are not working because there is no clear plan or commitment to channel the supposed gains into productive areas that benefit the people and improve growth,” he said.

He urged the government to embrace deliberate, people-oriented reforms that prioritise production over consumption, support small businesses and farmers, and invest in education and healthcare.

“No nation can truly rise when the majority of its citizens are trapped in poverty. With the right leadership, we can make Nigeria work for every Nigerian,” Obi concluded.