Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, responded to accusations from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other critics that he was “demarketing” Nigeria through critical remarks about its economy.
The controversy stemmed from Obi’s April 24 lecture at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he stated that Nigeria’s poverty rate had surpassed that of China, Indonesia, and Vietnam combined, attributing the decline to 25 years of economic mismanagement. Obi clarified that his comments were factual, aimed at highlighting challenges to spur solutions, not disparaging the nation.
Obi emphasized that Nigeria’s poverty headcount, estimated at 130 million in 2024 by the World Bank, exceeds the combined poor populations of the three nations he cited, which have reduced poverty through deliberate policies. He argued that acknowledging such realities is a patriotic duty to drive reform, not an attack on Nigeria’s image.
Obi, who governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014, defended his record, noting investments in education and health, including building 10 hospitals and upgrading 150 schools. He challenged Sanwo-Olu’s claim that he lacked moral authority to critique President Bola Tinubu’s administration, pointing to Tinubu’s own governance challenges, including 32% inflation and a weakened naira.
The dispute reflects Nigeria’s polarized political climate, with Obi’s critics, primarily from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing him of negativity abroad, while supporters view his candor as essential for accountability. Obi called for constructive dialogue, urging leaders to focus on solutions like job creation and infrastructure development. His response underscores the tension between promoting Nigeria globally and addressing domestic crises, with 63% of Nigerians living below the poverty line, according to 2024 data. The debate continues as Obi prepares for a series of international engagements to discuss Nigeria’s economic potential.