LAGOS, April 29, 2025 — Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticised former Anambra State governor and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over recent comments he made about Nigeria during a speaking engagement at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Governor Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of portraying Nigeria in a negative light before an international audience, saying it was unbecoming of a statesman and former presidential contender. He argued that Nigerian leaders should promote the country’s image overseas, regardless of their political affiliations or views on the government.

“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.”

Obi had reportedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, arguing that they were exacerbating poverty and deepening the country’s socio-economic crisis.

Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu’s approach to economic reform, pointing to Tinubu’s track record during his time as Lagos governor. He said Tinubu implemented policies that significantly improved living standards and education infrastructure.

“Now, 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, would criticise the Government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that,” Sanwo-Olu said. “President Tinubu, both as Governor of Lagos and now as President, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 Nigerian undergraduates.”

The Lagos governor further challenged Obi’s legacy in Anambra State, claiming that poverty levels rose significantly during his time in office. Citing data from Obi’s tenure, Sanwo-Olu said the poverty rate in Anambra increased from 41.4% before Obi assumed office in 2007 to 53.7% just two years later.

“Mr. Obi talks a good game. But was he able to reduce poverty while he governed Anambra? Perhaps we can let the facts speak for themselves,” he said, adding that Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, was the one who brought the rate down to 14.8% years later.

Sanwo-Olu concluded by questioning Obi’s moral standing to criticise the federal government’s current policies. “Mr. Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu, as he then was, was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty.”

The exchange has sparked fresh debate among political observers and the public, with supporters from both sides trading words on social media over the implications of Obi’s international remarks and Sanwo-Olu’s response.

Would you like a follow-up piece comparing both politicians’ development records as governors?