Obi Sends Message To FG, State Govts Over Disaster Risks

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government and state governments to prioritise disaster prevention, emergency preparedness and the protection of vulnerable Nigerians.

This was just as Obi said millions of Nigerians faced flooding, insecurity, displacement, hunger and poverty as governance failures had worsened the effects of the challenges.

He made the remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The former Anambra State governor said inadequate planning, weak institutions and poor emergency preparedness had exposed citizens to avoidable suffering.

He also listed deteriorating infrastructure, malnutrition and loss of livelihoods among the challenges confronting Nigerians, arguing that governments must do more to protect citizens from preventable risks.

Obi maintained that although disasters could not always be prevented, their impact could be reduced through accountable leadership, effective early warning systems, responsible land-use planning and durable infrastructure.

He also called for efficient emergency services and prompt humanitarian assistance to communities affected by disasters.

According to him, governments must identify potential risks before they escalate and respond effectively when emergencies occur, particularly to protect vulnerable populations.

Obi argued that the success of governance should be measured by the safety, dignity and quality of life of citizens rather than revenue figures, economic indicators or official ceremonies.

He questioned the basis for claiming progress when Nigerians continued to face displacement from floods, abductions, hunger and other threats to their safety.

The ADC presidential candidate urged governments at all levels to adopt a people-centred approach to disaster risk reduction.

He called for increased investment in prevention, improved emergency response mechanisms and accountability in the management of disaster funds.

He also urged authorities to ensure that affected communities received timely relief and lasting rehabilitation.

“Nigeria must not accept avoidable suffering as normal,” Obi said, stressing that protecting the safety, security and welfare of citizens remained a core responsibility of government.

He added that effective governance should reduce risks, protect lives and guarantee citizens the opportunity to live in safety and dignity.

Obi further maintained that Nigeria could protect its citizens from the most severe effects of disasters if the country adopted the right policies and implemented them effectively.

His remarks come amid broader concerns over the impact of economic hardship and insecurity on Nigerians.

On Monday, Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over its economic management, arguing that improvements in some macroeconomic indicators had not translated into better living conditions for citizens.

He said the Federal Government should not interpret a recent World Bank report on Nigeria’s economic performance as proof that living standards had improved.

The former governor argued that economic growth and increased government revenue were insufficient measures of development while millions of Nigerians continued to struggle with poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Obi also questioned the government’s fiscal priorities, citing figures from the World Bank report titled Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Reshaped State Priorities.

He claimed that the Federal Government spent N7.7 trillion on debt interest payments between January and June 2026, against total revenue of N6.2 trillion during the same period.

He further alleged that capital expenditure declined by about N700 billion in the first half of 2026.

Obi attributed the reported figures to what he described as poor fiscal management, while accusing the Tinubu administration of reckless borrowing, corruption and incompetence.

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