Convener of the Alternative Movement, Segun Sowunmi, has questioned the practical details of Peter Obi’s proposal to encourage Nigerian youths to return to farming and small-scale businesses as part of a strategy to tackle unemployment.
Sowunmi made the remarks during an appearance on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, where he discussed Obi’s political campaign, his record as former governor of Anambra State and the feasibility of some of his proposed policies.
His criticism focused on how a government would persuade or enable people to participate in agriculture, raising questions about the mechanisms required to translate a broad policy objective into practical employment opportunities.
Questions Over Policy Implementation
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has presented agriculture, domestic production and small businesses as elements of his proposed economic agenda for the 2027 election.
Sowunmi’s intervention places attention on the distinction between announcing a policy direction and explaining how it would be implemented.
An agricultural employment programme could involve issues such as access to land, finance, markets, infrastructure and training. The precise measures proposed by Obi would need to be assessed against the details of his campaign plans.
Sowunmi’s comments represent his political assessment of Obi’s proposals. They do not, on their own, establish whether the proposals are feasible or infeasible.
Political Debate Ahead of 2027
The exchange reflects the wider debate among Nigerian political actors over economic development, youth employment and the responsibilities of a potential future administration.
As the 2027 election approaches, campaign policy proposals and criticism of their implementation will remain part of public political discussion.