Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has expressed profound concern over the latest report from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which indicates that northern Nigeria is currently facing its most severe food crisis in nearly a decade. In a statement released on Saturday, Obi described the situation as both a national tragedy and an entirely avoidable outcome, pinning the blame on what he termed incompetent and irresponsible leadership. Referencing the WFP's latest Cadre HarmonisΓ© analysis, Obi highlighted that over 17 million people across nine northern states are now experiencing crisis-level hunger. He further noted that more than 35 million Nigerians nationwide are at risk of food insecurity during this lean season, with Borno State emerging as a focal point of the emergency. The former Anambra State governor drew attention to the report's finding that over 10,000 residents in Borno State have reached the catastrophic level of hunger, a stage where survival is at immediate risk. He lamented that Nigeria, possessing vast stretches of fertile and underutilized land, should not be grappling with such widespread food shortages. Obi attributed the deepening crisis to two primary structural failures: persistent insecurity and the inability of farmers to access their lands. He noted that widespread banditry and insurgent attacks have transformed previously productive agrarian communities into displacement zones. According to him, until the government secures these agricultural areas and establishes safe corridors for farming, the country will continue to struggle with production deficits. The presidential candidate urged the Federal and state governments to move beyond mere political discourse. He called for transparent, upfront investments to support smallholder farmers with essential resources, including financing, improved farm inputs, and professional extension services. Additionally, Obi stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the Nigerian government and international agencies like the WFP to bridge existing funding gaps and prevent the humanitarian situation from deteriorating further. In his conclusion, Obi reaffirmed his belief that a hunger-free Nigeria is attainable, but maintained that it requires leadership that prioritizes the welfare of citizens over superficial or grandiose projects. He reiterated that a shift from consumption to production is essential to transforming the country’s agricultural potential into tangible food security.