Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, has raised alarm over Nigeria's escalating poverty levels, asserting that the country now has more poor people than China, Indonesia, and Vietnam combined. He attributes this alarming trend to decades of political leadership failure and policy mismanagement.

Obi highlighted that in 1990, Nigeria had a higher GDP per capita than China and Vietnam. However, over the past 35 years, while China, Indonesia, and Vietnam have advanced to the "high" Human Development Index (HDI) category, Nigeria has regressed to the "low" category. He emphasized that this decline is not accidental but a result of persistent leadership failures.

According to Obi, Nigeria now harbors more poor people than China, Indonesia, and Vietnam combined. He pointed out that while China had about 750 million people living in poverty in 1990, the country has successfully lifted most of them out, thanks to intentional and consistent policy actions. In contrast, Nigeria's poverty rate continues to rise. ​

Obi's remarks underscore the urgent need for competent, capable, and compassionate political leadership committed to prioritizing investment in critical areas such as education, health, and poverty alleviation to achieve sustainable growth and development.