Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sharply criticized former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over remarks he made at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. In a statement issued on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of lacking the moral authority to comment on Nigeria's poverty situation, pointing to his tenure in Anambra where poverty rates reportedly increased. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that Nigerian leaders abroad should project the country's image positively, rather than "de-market" it, and questioned Obi's record in addressing poverty during his time as governor.

Obi's comments at the university highlighted Nigeria's poverty levels compared to countries like China and Vietnam, attributing the disparity to leadership quality. Sanwo-Olu responded by defending the current administration's efforts to combat poverty, noting that President Bola Tinubu's policies have led to the construction of over 200 schools and the provision of student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates nationwide. He challenged Obi's record, stating that poverty worsened in Anambra during his governorship.

This exchange adds to a series of public disagreements between Obi and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Earlier, President Tinubu's aide, Sunday Dare, criticized Obi for his comments on recent stampedes in Anambra and Oyo States, accusing him of exploiting tragedies for political gain and lacking statesmanship.

The ongoing back-and-forth between Obi and APC officials underscores the deepening political divide in Nigeria, with both sides accusing each other of undermining national unity and development.