Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticised former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for remarks he made about Nigeria during a recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.In a statement released on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of making disparaging comments not only about the Nigerian government but also about the country itself. He argued that prominent Nigerians travelling abroad should work to promote the nation’s image rather than “de-market” it.
“He made the unflattering remarks not just about the incumbent Nigerian government, but also about Nigeria, Sanwo-Olu said. “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.
Responding to Obi’s criticism of the current administration’s economic policies and his claims that they are worsening poverty, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu’s record. He pointed to Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, highlighting efforts to reduce poverty and improve infrastructure.
I find it somewhat ironic that 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, Sanwo-Olu said.
He further stated, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my predecessor as Governor of Lagos State and now President of Nigeria, built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Challenging Obi’s record in office, Sanwo-Olu claimed that poverty worsened during Obi’s administration in Anambra State.
Under Peter Obi as a two-term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased rather than decreased,” he said. Before Obi assumed office on June 14, 2007, the poverty rate in Anambra stood at 41.4%. After only two years in office, it had jumped to 53.7%.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, later reduced the poverty rate significantly, from almost 60% to 14.8%.
He questioned Obi’s moral standing to criticise the current government’s efforts, stating, Mr. Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty.
Being that that is the case, who should criticise who? Sanwo-Olu concluded.
