"Prominent Nigerians Should Market, Not De-Market Nigeria" — Sanwo-Olu Slams Peter Obi

The Governor of Lagos State, 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 issued on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of making “disparaging comments” about Nigeria, urging prominent citizens to project a positive image of the country abroad rather than "de-market" it.

“He made unflattering remarks not just about the Nigerian government but about Nigeria itself," Sanwo-Olu said. "When prominent Nigerians travel overseas, they ought to promote Nigeria. It is not about supporting the government, but about true patriotism."

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Responding directly to Obi’s criticism of the federal government’s economic policies, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu, stating that Tinubu had a proven record of reducing poverty during his tenure as Lagos State governor from 1999 to 2007.

“I find it ironic that Mr Obi, who did not build a single school or stand-alone hospital during his eight years as Anambra governor, would criticise a government actively doing so," he said. "President Tinubu, as governor, built over 200 schools and provided student loans to over 200,000 undergraduates."

Sanwo-Olu also challenged Obi’s performance in Anambra, claiming that poverty increased under his leadership.

“Under Peter Obi’s administration, Anambra’s poverty rate rose from 41.4% to 53.7% in just two years," he stated. "However, five years after Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced poverty significantly to 14.8%."

The governor questioned Obi’s moral authority to criticise the government, concluding, “Mr Obi contributed to increasing poverty, while Tinubu lifted millions out of it. So, who should really be criticising whom?”

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