Peter Obi Under Fire: Sanwo-Olu Accuses Him Of Contributing To Nigeria’s Suffering

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has slammed former Anambra State governor and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, asserting that he lacks the moral authority to comment on poverty in Nigeria.

In a personally signed statement titled “Factually Addressing Mr. Peter Obi’s Criticism of Nigeria at Johns Hopkins University,” Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of being partly responsible for the poverty he now condemns.

Obi’s Remarks at Johns Hopkins University

While delivering a lecture at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, Peter Obi compared Nigeria’s poverty progression with that of China and Vietnam. He pointed out that although Nigeria had fewer people living in poverty in 1990 compared to the two Asian countries, it failed to replicate their subsequent economic growth and development.

Obi emphasized, “The key difference lies in political leadership,” highlighting that nations like China and Vietnam prioritized investments in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction — unlike Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu: “Obi Is in No Position to Judge”

Responding to Obi’s statements, Sanwo-Olu described them as both damaging and hypocritical.

“On Thursday, April 24, 2025, former Governor Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, made several unflattering remarks about Nigeria while speaking at Johns Hopkins University,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He stressed that notable figures should promote Nigeria’s image abroad, stating, “It’s not about supporting the government; it’s about showing patriotism by uplifting Nigeria’s reputation internationally instead of tarnishing it.”

Sanwo-Olu also defended President Bola Tinubu’s anti-poverty efforts, noting that Tinubu — both as Lagos governor and now as Nigeria’s president — had championed initiatives aimed at poverty reduction through investments in education, student loans, and support for small businesses.

“In under two years, over half a billion dollars has been disbursed in credit facilities to small and medium-scale enterprises,” Sanwo-Olu added.