By Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA – THE Delta Obedient Elders’ Council, has lamented the increasing level of economic hardship and hunger being experienced by most Nigerians.

The Council, in a communique issued at the end of it’s emergency general meeting held in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, noted that the
rising cost of food items and basic commodities had placed heavy burden on families across the country.

The communique endorsed by the Council’s Proterm Chairman Chris Biose and Secretary, Solomon Akeni said the difficulties had been aggravated by unprovoked attack, seizure and occupation of farmlands by ethnic militia particularly in the food processing zone of the middle belt.

It said: “Farmers face numerous challenges, including high production costs, the ever-increasing cost of transportation and poor access to agricultural support systems. This is aggravated by unprovoked attack, seizure and occupation of farmlands by ethnic militia particularly in the food processing zone of the middle belt.

“These difficulties have worsened the food crisis to the extent that, for the first time in recent history, Nigerians staged a peaceful protest against hunger in the land in August 2024.

“We therefore call on governments at all levels to restore the seized land in the middle belt to the farming communities and urgently implement policies that will strengthen food production, support farmers with necessary inputs and security, improve agricultural infrastructure, and stabilize food prices.

“Addressing hunger must be treated as a national emergency in order to safeguard the wellbeing and dignity of the Nigerian people.

The Council also condemned the persistent insecurity in various parts of the country, including activities of jihadists, armed militias, bandits, kidnappers, and rising political intimidation.

“These barbaric security challenges have led to the loss of lives, displacement of communities, disruption of economic activities, and widespread fear among citizens.

“We therefore urge the government to intensify efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced coordination among security agencies, adequate equipping and remuneration of security personnel, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of violence, and the restoration of communities that have been displaced or overrun.

“The protection of lives and property must remain the foremost responsibility of government”.

On the Electoral Act 2026, the Council noted that “the introduction of provisions that weaken the integrity of the electoral process is deeply troubling and unacceptable to the Obedient Movement and Nigeria in general.

“We strongly demand mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the polling units in real time, specifically the immediate uploading of results contained in Form EC8A to the IREV portal directly from the polling units.”