Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has responded to accusations that he is de-marketing Nigeria, asserting that telling the truth about the country’s struggles is not the same as criticizing it. Obi emphasized that confronting the nation’s economic and political challenges is necessary for its growth and development.
In a post on social media, Obi addressed those who claimed that his remarks about Nigeria’s difficulties abroad were harmful to the country’s image. While he did not specify any names, his comments seemed to target figures like Segun Sowunmi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who had recently accused him of negatively portraying Nigeria overseas.
Obi clarified that his intention is not to tarnish the country’s reputation but to highlight its reality to spur improvement. “Truth does not in any way de-market a nation. Rather, it refines and strengthens it,” he stated. However, he warned that manipulating the truth for political gain undermines the efforts of those who have fought for the nation’s progress.
He also pointedly questioned the silence of critics who had previously protested against price hikes during the Goodluck Jonathan administration. He asked why those voices had disappeared in light of the current economic situation, where fuel, food, and transport prices have soared dramatically. “Where are those who protested when prices were moderate under Jonathan?” Obi questioned.
Further, Obi expressed his concerns about the nation’s worsening situation, pointing out that Nigeria continues to lose innocent lives daily due to insecurity, poverty, inadequate healthcare, and preventable hardships.
