Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticized the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, claiming that the former Anambra State governor lacks the moral authority to speak on issues of 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 contributing to Nigeria’s current poverty levels, alleging that poverty worsened significantly during Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State.

Recall that Obi, during a recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, compared Nigeria’s poverty trajectory to that of China and Vietnam. He stated that in 1990, Nigeria had fewer people living in poverty than either country, but poor leadership and lack of investment in critical sectors such as education and healthcare had led to Nigeria’s current struggles.

He said, “The question is, what exactly did these countries do to achieve the desired growth and development? That is where political leadership comes in. These nations, unlike Nigeria, have competent leadership with character, capacity, and compassion, committed to investing in critical developmental areas like education, health, and poverty alleviation.”

In his response, Sanwo-Olu argued that Obi’s remarks amounted to "denigrating" Nigeria on the global stage — a move he described as unpatriotic.

“When prominent Nigerians go abroad, they ought to project Nigeria positively. They do not have to defend the government, but they owe the nation a duty to market her favourably. True patriotism demands it,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

Focusing on Obi’s comments about poverty, Sanwo-Olu questioned Obi’s record in governance.

“It is ironic that Mr. Obi, who, during his eight-year tenure, did not build a single new school or stand-alone hospital, nor sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise a government that is actively doing so," he said.

Sanwo-Olu praised President Bola Tinubu’s track record, both as former governor of Lagos State and now as President, noting that Tinubu had built over 200 schools, provided student loans to over 200,000 undergraduates, and extended over half a billion dollars in credit facilities to small and medium enterprises in less than two years in office.

“While he was governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Tinubu reduced poverty by over 46 percent. Based on his record, there is every reason to believe he will replicate this success nationally," Sanwo-Olu asserted.

He also challenged Obi’s legacy, citing statistics to argue that poverty increased significantly under Obi’s administration.

“Before Mr. Obi assumed office in Anambra on June 14, 2007, the poverty rate stood at 41.4%. Within two years, it jumped to 53.7%. Interestingly, five years after Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate to 14.8%," he stated.

Sanwo-Olu concluded by questioning Obi’s credibility to critique Nigeria’s leadership.

“Given these facts, Mr. Obi is not in the best position to issue sweeping statements about Nigeria’s poverty levels. While he contributed to rising poverty during his time in office, President Tinubu’s policies are lifting millions out of it. The question, therefore, is: who should be criticising who?”