The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has faulted the state government’s rejection of a report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, on the growing malnutrition crisis affecting children in the state.
Speaking in a statement issued on Saturday, the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Kebbi State chapter of the ADC, Abubakar Atiku Musa, said the government should have responded to the MSF report with verifiable facts and statistics rather than outright denial.
The opposition party said dismissing the findings of a globally respected humanitarian organisation would not address the challenges facing vulnerable families and communities.
He urged the government to treat the report as a wake-up call and take urgent steps to address the underlying causes of malnutrition across the state.
Musa said authorities should collaborate with development partners, healthcare professionals and community leaders to improve nutrition programmes and strengthen primary healthcare services.
“The lives and wellbeing of our children must never become a subject of political disagreement. What is needed at this moment is transparency, collaboration and immediate action to confront the malnutrition challenge facing our people,” he said.
The Kebbi State Government had earlier dismissed the MSF report, maintaining that the data cited by the humanitarian organisation did not accurately reflect the current realities in the state.
However, the ADC insisted that concerns raised by reputable international organisations should not be ignored, particularly at a time when many households are grappling with food insecurity and economic hardship.
The party noted that reports indicating a rise in severe acute malnutrition cases among children should prompt urgent intervention by both state and federal authorities.
It further called for increased investment in nutrition programmes, healthcare infrastructure and social welfare initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable children and families.
According to the party, addressing malnutrition requires collective efforts from government institutions, humanitarian agencies and local communities to ensure that no child dies from preventable causes.
