Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticised former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over remarks he made about Nigeria during a recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
In a statement released on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of making “disparaging comments” about the country, insisting that prominent Nigerians travelling abroad should strive to enhance the nation’s image rather than tarnish it.
The Lagos governor stated, “He made the unflattering remarks not just about the incumbent Nigerian government, but also about Nigeria.
“I also find Mr Obi’s pattern of behaviour disturbing. When prominent Nigerians go overseas, they ought to project Nigeria positively. They do not have to do that for the government. But we all owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than de-market her. That is what true patriotism is about.”
Sanwo-Olu specifically addressed Obi’s criticisms of the current administration’s economic policies and his claims that these policies were exacerbating poverty in the country. He defended President Bola Tinubu’s governance record, highlighting Tinubu’s achievements during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
“Now, I find it somewhat ironic that a man like Mr Obi, who did not build a single school or a stand-alone hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the Government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.
“I say this because the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is my predecessor, and as Governor of Lagos and now President of Nigeria, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor further challenged Obi’s record in Anambra, alleging that poverty worsened under Obi’s administration rather than improving. He pointed to official statistics to back his claims.
“Mr. Obi talks a good game. But was he able to reduce poverty while he governed Anambra? Perhaps we can let the facts speak for themselves.
“Under Peter Obi as a two-term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased. It did not reduce. Before Peter Obi became Anambra Governor on Thursday, June 14, 2007, the poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4%.
“But after only two years in office, the poverty rate in Anambra jumped to 53.7%.
“But the interesting thing is that five years after Peter Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60% to 14.8%,” he stated.
Sanwo-Olu concluded by questioning Obi’s moral standing to criticise the government’s efforts, drawing a direct comparison between Tinubu’s and Obi’s leadership legacies.
“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 whom?” he asked.
