Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sharply criticized former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, accusing him of “de-marketing Nigeria” during a US speech and lacking the moral standing to discuss poverty given his alleged poor performance in Anambra.
LAGOS – Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has launched a scathing rebuttal against Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, over his recent poverty-related remarks at Johns Hopkins University in the US. In a personally signed statement titled “Factually Addressing Mr. Peter Obi’s Criticism of Nigeria,” Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of hypocrisy and worsening poverty during his tenure as Anambra governor.
The Clash of Narratives
At Johns Hopkins, Obi had compared Nigeria’s poverty trajectory unfavorably to China and Vietnam, attributing their progress to competent leadership. He stated:
“These nations prioritized education, health, and poverty reduction—unlike Nigeria.”
Sanwo-Olu countered:
“Mr. Obi de-marketed Nigeria globally. True patriots promote their country, not disparage it.” He challenged Obi’s credibility, citing Anambra’s poverty rate surge from 41.4% to 53.7% under Obi’s governorship (2007–2014), contrasting it with successor Willie Obiano’s reduction to 14.8%.
Tinubu’s Record Defended
The governor praised President Bola Tinubu’s anti-poverty measures, including:
✔️ 200+ schools built in Lagos
✔️ 200,000+ student loans disbursed
✔️ $500M+ SME credit facilities
“Tinubu reduced Lagos’ poverty by 46% as governor. Obi built zero schools or hospitals in eight years,” Sanwo-Olu asserted.
Obi’s Alleged Contradictions
The statement highlighted Obi’s critique of federal policies while allegedly neglecting similar issues in Anambra:
“How can someone who increased poverty morally question leaders actively combating it?”
“As such, I am not sure that Mr. Obi is morally well placed to make the alarming claims he made about Nigeria at Johns Hopkins. Mr. Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu, as he then was, was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty. Being that that is the case, who should criticise who?”