Sanwo-Olu Criticizes Peter Obi Over Comments on Nigeria’s Poverty Rate, Questions His Track Record

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has taken a swipe at former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of lacking the moral standing to criticise Nigeria’s poverty situation. Sanwo-Olu, speaking during a media interaction on Sunday, argued that Obi’s administration in Anambra left much to be desired, particularly in areas critical to human development.

Reacting to Obi’s recent comments attributing Nigeria’s worsening poverty levels to poor leadership and mismanagement, Sanwo-Olu said it was ironic for the former governor to present himself as a model of good governance. He alleged that under Obi’s tenure between 2006 and 2014, Anambra State struggled with infrastructure deficits, poor social welfare programs, and limited investments in youth and human capital development.

“Before you point fingers at others, you must first look at your own record. Nigeria’s problems are complex and historical, but we cannot allow those who had the opportunity to make a change at the subnational level — and did not do so — to rewrite the narrative,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He further argued that the metrics during Obi’s administration, including poverty reduction rates, unemployment figures, and infrastructure delivery, did not significantly outperform the national average at the time. Citing reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Sanwo-Olu noted that Anambra’s poverty headcount ratio hovered above 30% at the time Obi left office, questioning the effectiveness of his policies.

Political observers view the Lagos Governor’s remarks as part of a broader pattern of increasing political tensions ahead of the next election cycle. Peter Obi, whose political brand rests heavily on transparency, fiscal discipline, and pro-people policies, has remained a vocal critic of both past and present administrations, positioning himself as a champion of the downtrodden.

However, supporters of Sanwo-Olu insist that criticisms must be tempered with self-reflection, arguing that selective amnesia about one’s tenure undermines public trust.

Meanwhile, Peter Obi has yet to issue an official response to Sanwo-Olu’s comments as of the time of filing this report. Nevertheless, analysts suggest that such exchanges are likely to intensify as the political atmosphere in the country heats up.

Nigeria’s poverty situation remains dire, with the World Bank estimating that over 40% of the population — about 95 million people — live below the national poverty line. Many Nigerians are calling for less political rhetoric and more concerted action from leaders across the board.

As the debate continues, citizens are watching keenly, hoping for leadership that can move beyond accusations and deliver tangible improvements to their daily lives