The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of plunging Nigerians into deeper hardship, saying citizens are grappling with rising hunger, worsening insecurity and widespread harassment.

Obi made the remarks on Friday while speaking with journalists at St. Fintan's Catholic Church in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where he attended the funeral of the late Okaji Okorie, father of the NDC senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South, Linus Okorie.

Responding to questions on the alleged intimidation of NDC supporters by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Obi argued that the hardship facing Nigerians goes far beyond political persecution.

"For me, every Nigerian is already being harassed, not just my supporters. Hunger is harassing everybody. The worsening economic situation is affecting everyone. Go to any village and you will see that people are suffering. It is time for Nigerians to tell those governing us that enough is enough," he said.

Speaking on the credibility of the 2027 general elections, Obi maintained that the outcome would ultimately depend on the resolve of Nigerians rather than the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

"It is not really about confidence in INEC; it is about having confidence in the people. The people will determine what INEC does. If Nigerians insist that their votes must count, then their votes will count," he stated.

He urged Nigerians to reflect on the country's trajectory and the future being handed to younger generations.

"The people should look at what is happening in Nigeria and ask themselves: What is the future of our children in this enterprise called Nigeria? Are we going to continue in this direction?"

Obi said demanding meaningful change in the country now requires courage, warning that poverty and hunger continue to deepen daily.

"Anyone talking about change in Nigeria today is making the ultimate sacrifice because we cannot continue like this. Every single day, poverty is increasing; every single day, hunger is increasing," he said.

Citing recent economic data, the former Anambra State governor claimed that poverty has risen significantly since the current administration took office.

"The World Bank recently reported that poverty has risen to almost 79 per cent from about 51 per cent when this government came into office. But you do not even need a World Bank report to know what is happening. Go to the villages and see for yourself."

He added that millions more Nigerians are struggling to feed themselves, insisting that the country cannot continue on its current path.

"Millions more Nigerians are facing hunger. So, what are we going to do about it? Are we going to continue like this? No."

Speaking on his relationship with Linus Okorie, Obi described him as a trusted political associate, noting that they had worked together across different political platforms.

"This is not the first time Hon. Linus Okorie and I are working together. We worked together in the Labour Party, and now we are together in the NDC. That underscores the strength of our relationship," Obi said.

He explained that his visit to Ebonyi was primarily to honour the memory of Okorie's late father.

"We are here today to pay our last respects to his late father. We pray that God Almighty, who blessed Papa with a long and fruitful life, will grant him eternal rest in His kingdom and give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss."