Supporters of former presidential candidate and ex-Anambra governor, Peter Obi, on Monday, clapped back at Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for criticising’s Obi negative remarks about Nigeria during a recent visit to Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Sunday, described Obi’s remarks about the country as uncharitable and unexpected from someone in leadership.
According to him, Obi has nothing but poverty to show for his eight-year tenure as the Anambra government and therefore lacks the moral authority to criticise President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the Nigerian economy.
However, Obi’s faithful online followers, popularly called Obidients, clapped by Sanwo-Olu, tagging him “Tinubu’s” and “apprentice governor”, among other things.
On Facebook, Uzozie Johnson berated Sanwo-Olu, saying it would be hypocritical to sing Nigeria’s praises abroad when things are really bad in the country.
“We are not surprised. This is how you evil APC politicians slam Davido when he spoke the truth about this country. You hate hearing the truth but sorry the truth must be told,” he wrote.
An X user identified as Anambra’s 1st son (@UchePOkoye) launched a scathing attack, suggesting Sanwo-Olu was merely a “transient placeholder” who should not involve himself in serious political discourse.
“Sanwo Baby, it is not wise for a transient placeholder to be part of the political conversation in Nigeria,” he wrote, alleging that the governor operates under the influence of a political “cartel.”
Similarly, HOLYMAN (@TheHolyman_) mocked the governor, implying that Sanwo-Olu had overstepped his bounds by acting as a “spokesperson” for President Tinubu.
“There are people paid to do that already,” he said. “Besides, this discussion is well above Your Excellency Sir. Respectfully.”
Other critics, like The Apple of God’s Eye (@ugo_himself), reminded Sanwo-Olu of the controversial handling of the #EndSARS protests, saying, “We won’t forget under your regime unknown soldiers killed unarmed protesters at Lekki Tollgate.”
Adding to the rebuke, Ijere Thomas Chukwuma, Ph.D (@chucksijere) simply advised Sanwo-Olu to “take it easy,” referencing a video where his predecessor, Akinwunmi Ambode, made scathing remarks about him.
Another user, Nonconformist (@_nonconformist1), was more blunt: “When Obi was governor, you still dey serve tea for Bourdillon inside Remi bedroom…. Shut up when men are talking, you no reach!!”
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Sunday, accused Obi of making “disparaging comments” about the country, saying prominent Nigerians travelling abroad should promote the nation’s image rather than “de-market” it.
The governor said, “He (Obi) made the unflattering remarks not just about the incumbent Nigerian government, but also about Nigeria.
“I also find Mr Obi’s pattern of behaviour disturbing. 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 specifically to Obi’s criticism of the current administration’s economic policies and claims that they were worsening poverty, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, noting that the President had a track record of reducing poverty when he governed Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.
“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 or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.
“I say this because the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is my predecessor, and as Governor of Lagos and now President of Nigeria, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu also challenged Obi’s record, claiming that poverty worsened in Anambra during Obi’s time in office.
He stated, “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.
“Under Peter Obi as a two-term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased. It did not reduce. Before Peter Obi became Anambra governor on Thursday, June 14, 2007, the poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4%.
“But after only two years in office, the poverty rate in Anambra jumped to 53.7%.
“The interesting thing is that five years after Peter Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60% to 14.8%.”
Sanwo-Olu questioned Obi’s moral standing to criticise the government’s efforts.
“Mr Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu, as he then was, was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty.
“Being that that is the case, who should criticise who?” he stated.
Efforts made to get the reaction of Obi were unsuccessful.
When contacted, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, promised to give feedback on the matter.
As of the time of filing this story, he had not got back to our correspondent.
The Director General of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, however, said they would give their reaction to Sanwo-Olu’s scathing remark on Tuesday (today).
(Punch)
