The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the Federal Government over its response to Peter Obi’s use of economic statistics to highlight the country’s economic difficulties, urging Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other government officials to focus on addressing the issues raised rather than attacking the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the party’s National Campaign Council spokesperson, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, described the government’s criticism of Obi as troubling, arguing that statistics should be used to measure progress, identify failures and guide public policy.
The NDC said the government should respond to Obi’s figures with credible data and explanations rather than personal attacks. It maintained that any disagreement with his analysis should be backed by evidence showing where his figures or conclusions are inaccurate.
To illustrate the economic pressures facing Nigerians, the party cited increases in the prices of essential goods and services since May 2023. It claimed petrol prices had risen from an average of ₦238.11 per litre to between ₦1,300 and ₦1,435 in 2026.
The party also put the price of a 50kg bag of rice at between ₦50,000 and ₦90,000 or more, compared with about ₦35,000 to ₦40,000 in mid-2023. It further cited increases in cement and bread prices, as well as rising house rents in major cities, particularly Lagos and Abuja.
The NDC argued that the government should pay closer attention to countries that have recorded measurable progress in reducing poverty and improving living conditions. It specifically pointed to Bangladesh, saying Nigeria could learn from the country’s experience in agricultural development, export-oriented manufacturing, microfinance, social protection and investment in human capital and infrastructure.
The World Bank has reported that Bangladesh lifted 34 million people out of poverty between 2010 and 2022, while its extreme poverty rate fell from 12.2 per cent to 5.6 per cent over the period. <Cite refs={[“turn693108search0″,”turn693108search36”]}/> The NDC also identified Vietnam, Rwanda, Morocco and India as countries whose development experiences Nigeria could study.
The party accused the All Progressives Congress-led administration of failing to adequately address poverty and other economic challenges. It claimed that about 63 per cent of Nigerians, representing more than 140 million people, were living in multidimensional poverty, and argued that previous poverty reduction gains had been reversed.
Nigeria’s 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index report, released by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with development partners, estimated that 133 million people, or 63 per cent of the population, were multidimensionally poor. <Cite refs={[“turn693108search4″,”turn693108search39”]}/>
The NDC said the situation required the government to demonstrate greater willingness to learn from other economies and focus on policies that would improve the lives of citizens. It also accused the APC administration of prioritising political control over the welfare of Nigerians.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the party challenged the government to address questions about the country’s economic direction, including whether more Nigerians were escaping poverty, children were receiving better education, businesses were thriving and citizens were safer.
Ikokwu said Obi’s emphasis on statistics was an invitation for Nigerians to examine available evidence, compare outcomes and demand accountability from those in government.
The party called for leadership driven by competence, practical solutions and a willingness to be held accountable, insisting that Nigeria could still achieve a more productive future.
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