Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over remarks suggesting Nigerians should find comfort in being better off than citizens of Kenya and other African nations, insisting that such comparisons do not address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Reacting to the President’s comment made in Yenagoa, Obi said drawing comparisons with other countries risks trivialising the hardship faced by Nigerians amid rising inflation, fuel costs, and declining living standards.
According to him, meaningful progress can only come from practical solutions backed by verifiable data, rather than statements aimed at offering temporary reassurance.
“Comparing Nigeria to Kenya or any other country will not fix our problems,” Obi said, stressing the need for policies grounded in measurable realities.
Tinubu had earlier maintained that despite ongoing economic difficulties, Nigeria remains in a stronger position than some of its African counterparts. However, Obi argued that such claims must be supported with credible data and objective analysis.
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Using religious references, Obi likened the President’s remarks to the biblical parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, warning against self-congratulatory comparisons. He also cited Qur’anic teachings cautioning against self-exaltation, noting that such attitudes may provide comfort but fail to address core issues.
The former governor of Anambra State also recalled Tinubu’s campaign remark questioning the relevance of statistics, describing it as dismissive of the role data plays in governance.
Obi emphasised that statistics are essential for planning, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability, adding that countries cannot achieve sustainable development without relying on credible data.
He acknowledged that comparisons can be useful when applied appropriately but warned against selective or misleading use of such metrics.
Citing development indicators, Obi argued that Kenya performs better than Nigeria in several areas, including human development, life expectancy, literacy, and economic stability. He noted that Kenya ranks higher on the Human Development Index and has a significantly higher GDP per capita than Nigeria.
On poverty, Obi said a larger percentage of Nigerians live below the poverty line compared to Kenyans, while social indicators such as life expectancy and literacy rates also favour Kenya. He further highlighted disparities in education and infrastructure, pointing out Nigeria’s significantly higher number of out-of-school children and lower electricity access.
Obi also referenced differences in inflation and currency stability, stating that Kenya has maintained a relatively stable economic environment, unlike Nigeria where inflation remains high and the naira continues to depreciate.
While acknowledging that Kenya faces its own economic challenges, Obi maintained that available data consistently shows stronger performance across key indicators.
He concluded that if Kenya is considered to be struggling despite these metrics, then Nigeria’s situation is evidently more severe.
Obi urged the Federal Government to move away from what he described as “self-consolation” and instead adopt a more accountable, data-driven approach to governance.
“We must confront our realities with humility and take responsibility,” he said, adding that only then can meaningful reforms be implemented to move the country forward.
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