Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has criticized former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over comments he made about Nigeria during a recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Sunday, accused Obi of making “disparaging comments” about Nigeria, stating that prominent Nigerians traveling abroad should promote the nation’s image rather than de-market it.
Sanwo-Olu explained, “He made the unflattering remarks not just about the current Nigerian government, but also about Nigeria as a whole. When prominent Nigerians go overseas, they should project Nigeria positively. We all owe it to the country to market Nigeria on the global stage, not de-market her. This is what true patriotism is about.”
In response to Obi’s criticism of the current administration’s economic policies, particularly claims that they were worsening poverty, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, emphasizing Tinubu’s track record of reducing poverty during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.
Sanwo-Olu pointed out, “It is somewhat ironic that someone like Mr. Obi, who did not build a single school or hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra, would criticize the Nigerian Government, which is actively working on those fronts.”
Sanwo-Olu highlighted that while the Nigerian Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had built over 200 schools and provided student loans to over 200,000 undergraduates, Obi’s tenure as Anambra’s governor saw an increase in poverty levels.
“I say this because President Tinubu is my predecessor, and as Governor of Lagos, he helped reduce poverty in the state. In contrast, Mr. Obi’s tenure in Anambra saw a rise in poverty,” Sanwo-Olu added.
Sanwo-Olu Questions Obi’s Record on Poverty Reduction
Sanwo-Olu also challenged Obi’s record during his time as Anambra’s governor. He accused Obi of failing to reduce poverty in the state, saying, “Mr. Obi talks a good game, but was he able to reduce poverty in Anambra? The facts speak for themselves.”
He cited data showing that under Obi’s leadership, the poverty rate in Anambra increased from 41.4% in 2007 to 53.7% just two years later. In contrast, Sanwo-Olu noted that five years after Obi left office, Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60% to just 14.8%.
Sanwo-Olu Questions Obi’s Moral Authority to Criticize Nigeria’s Government
Governor Sanwo-Olu also questioned Obi’s moral authority to criticize the Nigerian Government, pointing out that Obi’s own record on poverty reduction was underwhelming. He emphasized,
“Mr. Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu, on the other hand, was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty. So, who should criticize whom?”
Bottom Line
Sanwo-Olu firmly asserted that while Obi continues to criticize the government, his own record as a former governor was not one that positioned him to make such claims. “The facts speak for themselves, and the people of Nigeria deserve better than baseless criticisms.”
