Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has opined that addressing insecurity will reduce Nigeria’s inflation.
Obi speaking in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, stated that security is currently the country’s top priority, stressing it is an urgent matter.
The former Anambra State governor added that the nation has seen severe food inflation, which may be reversed by enhancing security.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that food inflation had increased to 23.12% percent in August 2022, reflecting a 2.82 percent increase over the 20.30 percent recorded in August 2021.
“The number one priority today in Nigeria is the issue of security because it has become an essential issue for Nigeria,” Obi said.
Also Read: Afenifere’s Endorsement Of Peter Obi Not Reflection Of Wishes Of Yorubas – Akeredolu
“You can’t talk about being a country unless you are secure unless your citizens are secure. So, it’s an issue that must be dealt with decisively.
“It’s also something that if you deal with today, you can deal with inflation, because the worst part of inflation we are dealing with is food inflation. So, if you secure the country, your farmers will go back, they will produce more and the food inflation will come down.
“We have to immediately review and restructure the entire security architecture, make it responsive and responsible. Responsive is that they will deal with issues as quickly as possible. Responsible is that somebody is in charge and if he’s not doing it, don’t wait, the person will go.”
Obi said the vast land in the northern region can boost food security and change the country’s economy.
“Look at the vast land we have in the north, that is the most important physical asset of the country today. If you cultivate all that vast land, we will feed ourselves, we will export, that vast land can change Nigeria.”
