Speaking the Truth About Nigeria’s Poverty Isn’t Demarketing, Obi Replies Sanwo-Olu

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has responded to comments by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, defending his remarks about Nigeria’s deepening poverty and asserting that telling the truth is not the same as demarketing the country.

Obi’s response comes after Sanwo-Olu accused him of making “disparaging comments” about Nigeria during a recent lecture at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

The Lagos governor had urged prominent Nigerians to promote the country’s image abroad rather than focus on its challenges.

However, in a strongly worded statement, Obi rejected the notion that he was tarnishing Nigeria’s image, stating instead that acknowledging the nation’s harsh realities is a necessary first step toward finding solutions.

“With about 100 million Nigerians living in absolute poverty and 150 million in multidimensional poverty, democracy is fast losing its essence if it fails to address the fundamental needs of its citizens,” Obi said.

He highlighted that Nigeria’s economic situation has deteriorated significantly over the years, with GDP growth dropping from an average of 6.72% between 1999 and 2014 to 2.79% in recent years.

GDP per capita, he added, has fallen from $3,200 in 2014 to just over $1,000.

Obi criticized government officials who, rather than take responsibility, attempt to normalize or downplay the country’s economic struggles.

“It’s disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address our problems, say things like ‘we are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger,’” he remarked.

The former presidential candidate stressed that his comments were not about assigning blame but about demanding better governance.

“We must confront the fundamental question: Is democracy truly addressing the needs of Nigerians? Are we building institutions that uphold accountability, justice, and fairness?”
Obi concluded by urging leaders to focus on delivering real progress, noting that governance must ultimately reflect the will and welfare of the people.

The public exchange between Obi and Sanwo-Olu has reignited debate over whether criticism of national challenges by prominent figures helps or harms Nigeria’s global image — and whether silence is a greater disservice in the face of growing hardship.