Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused the government of being complicit in Nigeria’s worsening economic, social and security challenges.

Obi made the allegation on Wednesday during a visit to the palace of the Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, in Benue State, ahead of his participation in a party town hall meeting in Makurdi.

He described the country’s situation as increasingly difficult, pointing to widespread hunger, rising poverty, terrorism, kidnappings and mounting public debt.

The former Anambra State governor claimed that more than 60 per cent of Nigerians were living in poverty and expressed concern over the growing number of children out of school.

He also lamented the continued killings and abductions in Benue State, noting that the state had considerable agricultural potential but was experiencing persistent insecurity.

Obi questioned the ability of security agencies to track kidnappers and rescue abducted schoolchildren, particularly when criminal groups reportedly used mobile phones to negotiate ransom payments from their hideouts.

He wondered why the authorities had been unable to use such communications to identify the locations of kidnappers and facilitate the rescue of their victims.

The NDC candidate said his engagements across the country were intended to promote peaceful political campaigns and encourage greater participation in the 2027 general election.

He identified national unity, security, economic recovery and accountable leadership as priorities he would pursue if elected president.