A heated debate has erupted in Nigeria following comments made by former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
On April 24, 2025, Obi spoke about Nigeria’s dwindling economy and worsening poverty compared to China and Vietnam. He emphasized that strong political leadership focusing on education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation is the critical difference between Nigeria and these nations.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu quickly responded, criticizing Obi’s remarks as “disparaging” and accusing him of hypocrisy. Sanwo-Olu pointed out that poverty rates rose during Obi’s tenure as Anambra State Governor (2007-2014), from 41.4% to 53.7%.
Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo supported Sanwo-Olu’s claims, stating that poverty more than doubled under Obi’s governorship, affecting over 50% of Anambra’s population. “Poverty more than doubled under Peter Obi, with over 50% of Ndi Anambra living in poverty during his tenure. Go and verify,” Soludo tweeted.
Public analyst Reno Omokri also criticized Obi, accusing him of hypocrisy and posting a photo of Obi distributing cash during an election period. Omokri stated, “Going abroad to de-market Nigeria is a disservice. What Peter Obi said was unfortunate, especially given that youth political agitation is more prevalent among his supporters.”
However, not everyone agreed with the criticisms. Former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi took a broader stance, criticizing the Tinubu administration for inflation, youth unrest, and insecurity. “Freedom of speech is fundamental in democracy. However, the real battle is Nigerians versus an administration that has plunged the nation into suffering,” Amaechi wrote.
Nigerian citizens also weighed in on the debate, with some praising Omokri’s comments and others accusing Obi of being truthful about Nigeria’s economic struggles. The media also commented on the issue, with an editorial in The Daily Courier highlighting the need for systemic reforms and long-term policy to address Nigeria’s poverty crisis.
The debate sparked by Obi’s remarks has highlighted the complexities of Nigeria’s economic challenges and the need for sustainable solutions. As the nation continues to grapple with poverty and insecurity, the role of leadership and policy will remain a contentious issue.
