The Labour Party (LP) has expressed deep concern over the recent spate of deadly stampedes across Nigeria, describing them as signs of a growing hunger epidemic in the country.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk, the party lamented the loss of at least 65 lives in separate incidents in Oyo and Anambra states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Farouk noted that the incidents, which involved food distributions and public events, highlight the severe level of hunger and desperation among Nigerians.
“About 40 children died during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo State. Similarly, 20 residents of Okija in Anambra State lost their lives during the distribution of palliatives by a philanthropist. Another 10 died in Abuja while struggling for food distributed by a Catholic church,” Farouk said.
He described the tragedies as preventable and blamed rising hunger and poverty levels for pushing citizens into desperation.
Citing World Bank data, Farouk said Nigeria’s poverty rate has risen to 40.7%, with over 87 million people living below the poverty line, making it the second-poorest nation globally after India.
He also linked the surge in crimes such as kidnappings and fuel scooping disasters to hunger and economic hardship, arguing that desperate attempts to survive have turned Nigeria into a humanitarian crisis zone.
“The economic reforms of the Tinubu administration have caused untold hardship to Nigerians. Hunger is turning into an epidemic, and not many people can survive this situation,” he said.
Farouk urged the federal government to prioritize agriculture and food production in 2025, noting that more than 70% of Nigeria’s land and aquatic resources remain underutilized.
“The government must scale down some of its non-essential programs and redirect policies towards agriculture. Mnistries in charge of food production and related sectors should be made to function effectively,” Farouk added.
He concluded by calling on the government to fulfill its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property, warning that continued negligence would worsen the crisis.
“The statistics are not good, and the government must sit up and put its acts together. Enough of taking the people for granted,” he warned.

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget, describing it as insufficient to address Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges.
Atiku expressed concerns over the N48 trillion budget with a N35 trillion revenue projection, leaving a deficit of over N13 trillion—about 4% of the GDP which he said would worsen the country’s external debt burden.
Atiku noted that the government plans to borrow over N13 trillion to bridge the fiscal gap, including N9 trillion in direct loans and N4 trillion for specific projects.
He accused the APC-led administration of relying heavily on borrowing since 2016, which threatens fiscal stability.
Atiku highlighted that by the third quarter of 2024, only 35% of capital expenditure for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) had been disbursed, despite claims of 85% execution.
He warned that poor execution could hamper the effectiveness of the 2025 budget as he slammed high Debt Servicing Costs
‘The budget allocates N15.8 trillion (33% of total expenditure) for debt servicing, nearly matching capital expenditure at N16 trillion (34%).
He noted that debt servicing exceeds allocations for key sectors like defence (N4.91 trillion), infrastructure (N4.06 trillion), education (N3.52 trillion), and health (N2.4 trillion).
Atiku criticized the allocation of over N14 trillion (30%) for recurrent spending, describing it as supporting an oversized bureaucracy and inefficient public enterprises.
He called for reforms to curb wastage and improve spending efficiency.
After debt servicing and recurrent spending, only 25-34% of the budget is allocated for capital projects, this Atiku inducated is insufficient to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits.
Atiku calculated this as an average of N80,000 ($45) per capita, which he deemed inadequate for economic growth.
Atiku slammed the 10% VAT increase from 7.5%, labeling it as a retrogressive tax policy that could worsen the cost-of-living crisis and slow economic recovery.
Atiku therefore urged the government to: Cut inefficiencies in government spending to curb contract inflation and focus on long-term fiscal sustainability instead of relying on borrowing.
He also asked Government to implement structural reforms to address economic challenges effectively.
Atiku maintained that the 2025 budget reflects a business-as-usual approach that fails to address Nigeria’s economic difficulties. He emphasized the need for fiscal discipline and strategic reforms to restore economic stability and growth.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of using recent Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) revocations in Abuja as a cover for a political witch-hunt targeting opposition figures.

Frank, in a statement issued in Abuja, described the alleged revocations involving prominent figures such as former President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President George Akume, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, as a scripted distraction aimed at concealing Wike’s true intentions to intimidate opposition members and critics.
Frank alleged that Wike’s actions are part of a broader plan to harass and silence opposition politicians and those who might challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
“We have credible intelligence that Wike’s so-called revocation list is a smokescreen to mask his grand strategy of intimidating and persecuting opposition members,” Frank said.
He pointed out that Buhari has denied owning the property linked to his name, while Abbas clarified that he has no outstanding debts with the FCTA.
“Wike knows he cannot target key government officials in Tinubu’s administration, so he is using their names as a shield to cover up his actual agenda land grabs and demolition of properties belonging to innocent Nigerians,” he added.

Frank referenced allegations by Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor that Wike had approved the transfer of land ownership to Saravera Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly controlled by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, a close associate of Wike.

He challenged Wike to prove ownership claims against the listed officials and accused him of favoritism and corruption.
Frank warned opposition politicians and critics to prepare for further harassment and persecution, particularly those who opposed Wike during his tenure as Rivers State Governor or supported Governor Fubara in the ongoing Rivers State power tussle.
“What Wike is doing in Abuja mirrors his vindictive actions in Rivers State, where he revoked C of O and demolished properties belonging to his political opponents,” Frank stated.
He accused Wike of planning a second wave of targeted land seizures aimed at punishing perceived enemies and opposition figures.
Frank warned President Bola Tinubu to rein in Wike, alleging that the minister’s unchecked actions could damage the administration’s reputation and lead to betrayal.
“Wike’s history of betrayal is well-known—he flattered ex-President Jonathan only to turn against him. If Tinubu is not careful, he may be Wike’s next victim,” Frank cautioned.
Frank further accused Wike of abusing his office to settle political scores and compensate allies, describing him as desperate following the loss of political influence in Rivers State.

Frank urged Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant and resist Wike’s abuse of power, which he described as anti-democratic, oppressive, and egregious.