Linus Aleke of Abuja
Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, a former Enugu State governor and elder statesman, says the worsening multifaceted poverty, astronomical unemployment and deteriorating security across Nigeria are compelling reasons for voters to remove President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in the 2027 general elections.
He noted that widespread hardship, job losses and persistent security threats continue to erode public confidence in government, arguing that the current government has failed to address the country’s deepening socio-economic challenges.
Nwodo maintained that Nigerians should be given credible alternatives that prioritize economic security, job creation and protection of lives and property.
In an interview with THISDAY in Enugu, the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed confidence that the opposition will win in 2027, insisting that if Peter Obi wins the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the race will be effectively decided.
“We will help Mr. Peter Obi get the ticket to ADC. Once he gets the ticket, the fight will be over. We don’t know where Mr. Tinubu is looking for votes to get a second term because there is the North and the East,” he said.
According to Nwodo, the growing wave of defections by governors to the APC is not as important as the day-to-day realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“It is not about the governor defecting to the APC. What matters is whether Nigerians are happy with this government. Are Nigerians going to bed thanking God that the country is well-governed or are they in pain? Are poverty, hunger, unemployment and insecurity increasing exponentially? These are the issues that are causing voters to reject the government and that is what we are counting on,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether the available data supports claims of deteriorating socio-economic conditions, Mr Nwodo pointed to personal experience as evidence of the deepening crisis.
He said many people who once supported large families and helped poor students are now struggling to feed themselves.
“They call me and send me a message saying, ‘Sir, we haven’t eaten in this house for three days. Please help us get something to eat.'” When people at that level are swallowing their pride and begging, you can’t say poverty isn’t increasing, he said.
He also detailed frequent deaths related to hunger and lack of access to basic health care, painting a grim picture of life in rural areas.
“In my hometown, I cannot remember when at least seven people did not die during the market week in Nkwo, Eke, Orie and Afol. Every day we hear the news that someone has died, someone will be buried tomorrow and more funerals will follow. It has become the only social activity that we can be sure of every weekend. People are dying because they cannot afford the treatment of simple diseases like malaria,” he lamented.
Nwodo added that international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have documented the scale of the crisis, including millions of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, a growing population of out-of-school children, widespread unemployment and soaring inflation amid stagnant incomes.
Commenting on concerns that Nigeria is heading toward a one-party state with mass defections to the APC, Nwodo said the situation highlights the need to build strong alternatives.
“If we do nothing, we risk the emergence of a dictatorship. And history has shown us that dictatorships never help any country, especially one with a population of over 200 million people. That is why we are determined to give Nigerians a real choice,” he said.
He recalled that Mr. Obi recorded an impressive performance in the 2023 elections despite contesting without the support of incumbent or former governors, senators and other prominent politicians.
“Nevertheless, he still received the highest number of votes in many places, but was placed in second place, making it difficult for him to regain his mandate.
He currently has the support of former governors and current senators. About 18 of us were present at his declaration and more South East politicians are joining him. It’s no longer a one-person project. He has a formidable team right now,” Nwodo said.
He concluded by predicting a repeat of the political turmoil in 2023, recalling the failed attempts of several incumbent governors to advance to the Senate.
“The same thing happened in our state. The same thing happened in Abia and Benue. That tsunami is coming again,” he added.
