Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has strongly rebuked former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over comments made about Nigeria’s poverty levels.

In a statement personally signed and titled “Factually Addressing Mr. Peter Obi’s Criticism of Nigeria at Johns Hopkins University,” Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of lacking the moral authority to criticize poverty issues in the country.

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The Context: Peter Obi’s Lecture at Johns Hopkins University

During a lecture delivered at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Peter Obi compared Nigeria’s poverty situation to that of China and Vietnam, attributing the nation’s struggles to leadership failures. Obi argued that Nigeria’s economic decline was a direct consequence of bad governance, a claim that sparked significant political reactions back home.

Sanwo-Olu’s Response

Sanwo-Olu described Obi’s remarks as unpatriotic, asserting that it was wrong to “de-market” Nigeria on international platforms for political gains. He insisted that genuine patriotism involves promoting a positive image of the country abroad, especially in critical times.

Citing official statistics, Sanwo-Olu pointed out that under Obi’s tenure as Anambra State governor, the poverty rate allegedly increased from 41.4% to 53.7%, only improving after he left office under his successor, Willie Obiano.

In contrast, Sanwo-Olu praised President Bola Tinubu’s track record both as Lagos State governor and as Nigeria’s current president. He credited Tinubu with significant progress in education, healthcare, and access to credit facilities that boosted economic opportunities for Lagos residents.