Former Anambra governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has responded to criticisms over his remarks on Nigeria's challenges. Obi emphasized that highlighting the country's issues does not amount to demarketing it.
Speaking at the Edwin Clark memorial lecture in Abuja, Obi questioned why he is blamed for tarnishing Nigeria's image when global institutions have confirmed the country's dire economic reality. He cited reports from the World Bank and UNICEF, which revealed that 75% of Nigerians in rural areas live in poverty and that Nigeria has over 2 million malnourished children, respectively.
Obi's comments come after critics, including Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu and PDP chieftain Segun Sowunmi, faulted his analysis, accusing him of painting Nigeria in a bad light. However, Obi maintained that acknowledging the country's challenges is essential for progress.
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