Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticized former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over remarks he made about Nigeria during a recent engagement at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
In a statement released on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of making “disparaging comments” about both the Nigerian government and the country itself. He stressed that prominent Nigerians should promote a positive image of the nation when speaking abroad rather than “de-marketing” it.
According to Sanwo-Olu, “He made 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 was responding to Obi’s criticism of Nigeria’s economic situation, where the former presidential candidate argued that the country had regressed over the past 25 years, especially when compared to nations like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Obi had pointed out that Nigeria, once on similar footing with these countries, had fallen behind significantly in terms of human development.
Defending President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, Sanwo-Olu highlighted Tinubu’s achievements during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. He said, “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.”
The Lagos governor further questioned Obi’s legacy in Anambra, noting that poverty reportedly worsened during his administration. Sanwo-Olu stated, “After only two years in office, the poverty rate in Anambra jumped to 53.7 per cent. 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 per cent to 14.8 per cent.”
Sanwo-Olu concluded by emphasizing that leaders who criticize Nigeria abroad should also reflect on their own records, adding that true patriotism requires promoting the country positively, especially on the global stage.
