Obi Slams Tinubu, Says Nigeria Worse Off Than Kenya

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent remarks comparing Nigeria’s situation with that of Kenya, urging him to address the country’s challenges with greater honesty.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent remarks comparing Nigeria’s situation with that of Kenya,

In a statement shared on X titled “From Pharisee to Tax Collector: Rethinking Tinubu’s Kenyan Comparison,” Obi said the President’s comments, though possibly intended to reassure citizens, could create a false sense of comfort and distract from the nation’s pressing realities.

Tinubu, speaking in Yenagoa, had acknowledged the economic hardship facing Nigerians, particularly the impact of rising fuel prices, but encouraged citizens to remain hopeful. “The fuel price is biting hard, but look around, let us thank God together that you are better off… Listen to them in Kenya and other African countries, and what they are going through,” he said.

Reacting, Obi warned that such statements “risk downplaying the severity of the current crisis,” stressing the importance of being transparent with citizens. Drawing on religious references, he added that the comparison reflects “the biblical parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector,” which cautions against self-righteousness and complacency.

Obi also revisited Tinubu’s earlier remark during the campaign period — “Na statistics we go shop?” — arguing that dismissing data undermines effective governance. According to him, “statistics remain indispensable – they are the language through which nations understand their condition and chart progress.” He emphasised that meaningful comparisons should be based on verifiable data and used as tools for accountability, not as a means of deflection.

Highlighting key development indicators, Obi maintained that Nigeria trails Kenya in several critical areas, including security, Human Development Index, life expectancy, GDP per capita, literacy rates, and electricity access. “On key development indicators… Kenya consistently outperforms Nigeria,” he stated.

He further pointed to disparities in poverty levels, inflation rates, and currency stability, noting that Nigeria’s economic conditions remain more severe. Obi argued that these realities contradict any suggestion that Nigerians are better off. “If the President considers Kenyans to be suffering… then Nigerians are in a far more difficult situation,” he said.

Obi concluded by urging the President to abandon what he described as “self-consolation” and instead adopt a leadership approach grounded in “humility, accountability, and commitment” to addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.