Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has rejected accusations that he is de-marketing Nigeria by discussing the country’s challenges.
In a post on X, Obi clarified that his honest commentary on Nigeria’s economic and political issues aims to strengthen the nation, not harm its reputation.
Obi’s remarks followed an earlier statement by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who had criticized Obi for allegedly making negative remarks about Nigeria during a recent lecture at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
“I remind those who claim that I am de-marketing Nigeria by speaking the truth about its economic and social conditions that truth does not tarnish a nation’s image,” Obi stated.
“Instead, it refines and fortifies it. When we begin to manipulate the truth for political gain, we dishonor the legacy of those who came before us and betray their sacrifices, struggles, hopes, and dreams.”
Obi made these comments after attending a memorial lecture honoring elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, alongside former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of State Yakubu Gowon.
During the lecture, Obi expressed concern over the current silence of critics who had once vigorously protested fuel and food price hikes during Jonathan’s administration. He questioned why these voices had vanished despite even more severe price increases today.
“I asked some important questions,” Obi reflected. “Where are those who, in 2012 and 2013, protested vigorously against fuel, exchange rate, food, and transport price hikes under President Jonathan? Where are those who called Jonathan ‘Clueless’ and ‘ineffective’?”
Obi also voiced his growing alarm over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, poverty, and institutional decay, highlighting the daily loss of innocent lives due to these issues.
“We are losing lives to insecurity, poverty, poor healthcare, and preventable hardships,” he said. “This is not the Nigeria our founding fathers envisioned. We must not reduce their sacrifices to mere ceremonial gestures. The best way to honor Chief Edwin Clark and others like him is to restore integrity to governance, rebuild trust in public institutions, and ensure that truth and justice guide our national journey. Nigeria must work for all Nigerians, not just the privileged few.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier criticized Obi for making what he described as “disparaging” comments about Nigeria in an international setting, urging prominent Nigerians abroad to promote the country’s image rather than tarnish it.
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