Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, pledged on Saturday to address Nigeria’s flood problem and guarantee the nation’s ability to produce enough food if elected president in 2023.
He made the promise on Saturday at a rally in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
The former governor of Anambra State promised to shift Nigeria’s economy from one of consumption to one of production and employment creation.
In addition to making other promises, he questioned why the Super Eagles couldn’t qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which begins next month. He also promised to resolve Nigeria’s power crisis.
Before speaking at the event, he observed a one-minute silence in honour of all flood victims across the country.
After that, Obi said, “I assure you if we come into power, we will solve this flooding problem.
“We are not going to do it overnight but we will start solving it. It will not take 30 years. The Federal Government said it will take 30 years, it will not take 30 years for us to solve it.
“Let me assure you, the government of Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed will change Nigeria for good,” he said.
Obi promised to support farmers and youths in the country, adding that Nigeria can feed itself if the right measures are taken.
He said, “If we come into government, I assure you, farmers will go back to farms because we are going to deal with insecurity, we will support youths; the more youths are pulled out of poverty, the more we reduce criminality.
“We will support youths because today Nigerian youths don’t have a home. When we come into government, the youths will have homes because we will solve their problems.
“Today in Nigeria, people spend all their money to feed themselves. So many people can’t even feed themselves. We will make sure that we start the journey of Nigeria being sufficient in food production. If Israel can feed itself, Nigeria can feed itself. If India can feed itself, Nigeria can feed itself.
Among dignitaries at the rally include Obi’s running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed; Labour Party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure; the party’s Director General of the National Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe.