Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has responded critically to recent comments made by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State, during a speech at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
In a statement released on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of making negative remarks about Nigeria, asserting that such statements could harm the country’s image. He emphasized that influential Nigerians speaking abroad should promote the nation’s reputation rather than undermine it.
“His comments were not only critical of the current administration but also reflected poorly on Nigeria as a whole,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “I find this behavior troubling. While one may not support the government, we all share a responsibility to present Nigeria positively on the international stage. That’s what true patriotism demands.”
Addressing Obi’s critique of the government’s economic strategies and his claim that these policies have intensified poverty, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu. He highlighted Tinubu’s achievements in poverty reduction during his time as Lagos State governor from 1999 to 2007.
“It is ironic that Mr. Obi, who did not establish any new schools or standalone hospitals in his eight years as Anambra governor, nor provide sustainable access to credit, would attack a federal government actively pursuing these initiatives,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He further credited President Tinubu with significant strides in education, noting that over 200 schools were built and more than 200,000 undergraduates had received student loans under his leadership.
The Lagos governor also questioned Obi’s legacy in Anambra, pointing to data that suggested a rise in poverty during Obi’s administration.
“Obi often speaks eloquently, but did he actually succeed in reducing poverty in Anambra? The statistics suggest otherwise,” he remarked.
According to Sanwo-Olu, when Obi assumed office in June 2007, Anambra’s poverty rate stood at 41.4%. However, within two years, it reportedly increased to 53.7%. He contrasted this with the performance of Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, who he claimed reduced the poverty rate significantly to 14.8% during his tenure.
Sanwo-Olu concluded by questioning Obi’s credibility in assessing government performance, stating, “While Obi’s policies contributed to rising poverty, Tinubu’s leadership helped lift many out of it. Given that, who truly has the right to criticize?”
