Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised recent remarks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu comparing Nigeria’s economic situation to that of Kenya, arguing that such comparisons downplay the country’s challenges.
In a statement posted on X on monday Obi said the President’s comment that Nigerians should feel “better off than Kenya and other African countries” risks ignoring the severity of the current economic realities.
Referencing religious texts, Obi likened the comparison to “the biblical parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector,” adding that a similar warning exists in Islamic teachings against self-righteousness.
“Like the Pharisee who boasted of his superiority over others to mask his own spiritual void, such downward comparisons serve more as a refuge than a remedy,” he said.
He also recalled an earlier remark attributed to Tinubu during the electioneering period, stating, “Na statistics we go shop?” Obi argued that data remains essential for governance and national development.
“Statistics remain indispensable — they are the language through which nations understand their condition and chart progress. No country can develop in isolation from measurable realities or without comparing itself with peers,” he stated.
The former Anambra governor went further to present comparative figures, claiming that Kenya outperforms Nigeria across several development indicators.
“On key development indicators such as security, the Human Development Index, life expectancy, GDP per capita, literacy levels, and electricity access, Kenya consistently outperforms Nigeria,” he said.
Obi cited figures showing Nigeria’s Human Development Index ranking at 164 out of 180 countries, compared to Kenya’s 143, while noting that Nigeria’s GDP per capita is significantly lower. He also highlighted disparities in poverty rates, life expectancy, literacy levels, and access to electricity.
“Kenya’s poverty rate is about 43 per cent… while Nigeria’s is about 63 per cent… Kenya’s life expectancy is about 67 years, while Nigeria’s is about 54 years,” he added.
He further pointed to differences in inflation and exchange rate stability, noting that while Kenya’s inflation has remained relatively moderate in recent years, Nigeria’s has stayed significantly higher, alongside a sharp depreciation of the naira.
“If the President considers Kenyans to be suffering despite these stronger figures, then Nigerians are in a far more difficult situation,” Obi said.
He urged the government to move away from what he described as self-consolation and instead adopt a more accountable approach to governance.
“This requires a posture of humility, accountability, and commitment to addressing the factors that have slowed Nigeria’s development,” he added.
Obi’s comments have added to ongoing debate over the country’s economic direction, as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs and broader economic reforms.