‘I spoke the truth, not demarketing Nigeria’ – Obi responds to Sanwo-Olu

Obi insisted that his statements were grounded in truth, not negativity.

Speaking during a recent event at Johns Hopkins University in the U.S., Obi discussed Nigeria’s economic decline over the past 25 years, linking it to a dramatic rise in poverty.

He stated that Nigeria now has more impoverished citizens than China, Indonesia, and Vietnam combined, highlighting what he described as the consequences of poor leadership.

Governor Sanwo-Olu had publicly condemned Obi’s remarks, arguing they portrayed Nigeria in a negative light internationally.

Sanwo-Olu said in a statement, “When influential Nigerians speak abroad, they should promote, not diminish, the image of our country. Patriotism means presenting Nigeria positively, even if you disagree with the government.”

Responding at a memorial lecture in Abuja yesterday, Obi dismissed the accusation, maintaining that he merely shared facts backed by reputable sources.

“I was accused of demarketing Nigeria. But is stating facts demarketing? The World Bank reported that 75% of rural Nigerians live in poverty—are they demarketing Nigeria? UNICEF also stated Nigeria has over two million malnourished children, second only to one other country—are they wrong too?” Obi asked.

He went further to criticize what he sees as selective outrage, recalling public protests during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Obi questioned why similar protests have not occurred now, despite what he described as even worse conditions.

“People protested when fuel rose from ₦87 to ₦120 under Jonathan, and the exchange rate was ₦900 to \$1. Now fuel and forex are far higher, yet there’s silence. Have those protesters vanished?” he asked.

Obi concluded by reflecting on the theme “labour of our heroes past,” expressing disappointment that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding leaders may have been in vain due to persistent leadership failures.