“Poverty Doubled Under Your Watch as Anambra Governor” – Omokri to Peter Obi

Former presidential spokesman Reno Omokri has sharply criticized ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi for calling Nigeria the “poverty capital of the world.” Obi made the comment on his X handle, highlighting various issues plaguing the nation, including insecurity, hunger, poor education, high infant mortality, corruption, and unemployment.

Obi wrote, “The problems facing Nigeria are well-known to all Nigerians. We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, the highest income gap between the poor and the rich, high corruption perception index, infrastructure and healthcare challenges, and more.”

He urged leaders to offer tangible solutions rather than downplaying the nation’s struggles by comparing them to those of other countries. “Instead of merely acknowledging that other countries face similar challenges, we need to hear a thorough plan of action to tackle our unique struggles. We require concrete solutions and a clear vision to address these issues, not comparisons that downplay our circumstances.”

In response, Omokri accused Obi of lacking the moral authority to comment on poverty, asserting that poverty levels in Anambra doubled during Obi’s tenure as governor. “But the issue, Peter, is that under your watch as a two-term Governor of Anambra, poverty doubled in that state. You are a big part of the problem you are talking about. And nothing about you shows that you are the solution,” Omokri stated.

Omokri contrasted Obi’s record with that of Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos, who he claims reduced poverty during his tenure. “At least, under Tinubu as a two-term Governor of Lagos, poverty was reduced. So, Peter, leave this talk for those with the moral authority to speak it.”

Omokri also criticized Obi for not addressing recent violence in Anambra, noting that while Obi condemned the murder of a young woman in Benin, Edo State, he remained silent on the killings in his home state. “Meanwhile, unknown gunmen killed multiple people in Anambra last weekend, your home state, and a week later, you still have not condemned or even acknowledged the killings, as you surely would have done if they had occurred outside the Southeast.”