Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has challenged former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi's moral authority to critique Nigeria's poverty situation.
Sanwo-Olu pointed to Obi's tenure in Anambra, during which poverty levels reportedly more than doubled, as a basis for his criticism.Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has claimed that under Peter Obi's governance, poverty in the state increased from less than 25% in 2005 to about 53% in 2010/2011. Soludo noted that despite Obi's reputation for fiscal prudence, the poverty rate escalated during his administration. In contrast, Soludo highlighted that under his leadership, the poverty rate significantly decreased to 14.78% in 2020 .
Sanwo-Olu's remarks suggest that Obi's record in Anambra undermines his credibility in addressing national poverty issues. The Lagos governor's statement adds to the ongoing political discourse regarding the effectiveness of leadership in combating poverty and promoting economic development.
This exchange underscores the contentious nature of Nigerian politics, where past governance records are often scrutinized to assess the suitability of leaders for national roles.
