Reno Omokri Accuses Peter Obi of Deepening Poverty in Anambra, Hails Tinubu’s Economic Decisions

In a heated and controversial interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, former presidential aide Reno Omokri launched a stinging critique against Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State. Omokri claimed that Obi is the only governor in the last 26 years to have increased poverty in the state—a statement that has sparked widespread debate across Nigeria’s political spectrum.

Omokri, known for his outspoken political commentary, compared Obi’s record unfavorably with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He argued that Tinubu has already outperformed what Obi could have achieved, particularly in economic reforms and fiscal responsibility.

“I still hold that view that the President is by far better than anything Peter Obi would have done,” Omokri stated during the interview. “We can go into specifics.”

He specifically cited the controversial removal of the fuel subsidy, a policy Tinubu enacted on his first day in office. Omokri dismissed criticism from Obi, noting that the former governor had previously declared in an earlier Channels Television interview that he, too, would scrap the fuel subsidy immediately if elected president.

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Peter Obi and the Poverty Narrative in Anambra

The central accusation from Omokri was his claim that Peter Obi worsened economic conditions during his time as governor of Anambra State. He asserted, “Peter Obi, as governor of Anambra, is the only governor in the last 26 years that increased poverty in Anambra. The two governors before him did not increase poverty; the governor after him did not increase poverty, but Peter Obi increased poverty. So, he does not have the moral authority to talk.”

While Omokri didn’t cite specific statistical data during the interview, his allegation directly challenges the widely held belief among Obi’s supporters that the former governor ran a fiscally prudent and development-focused administration. Obi has often been praised for leaving substantial savings in the state’s treasury and for reducing the cost of governance.

Omokri’s assertion could prompt fresh analysis into Anambra’s economic indicators during Obi’s tenure, such as unemployment rates, GDP growth, access to education, and healthcare developments.

Praise for Tinubu’s Reforms and Fiscal Prudence

Omokri contrasted Obi’s performance as governor with President Tinubu’s early efforts to reshape Nigeria’s economy. He praised the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the naira exchange rate—a move financial experts have described as a significant step toward stabilizing Nigeria’s economy.

“This gentleman [Tinubu] met a debt profile for Nigeria of $108 billion. Right now, as I speak with you, our debt is now $94 billion,” Omokri said. “So, $14 billion reduction in our debt.”

According to him, Tinubu’s economic reforms have led to increased federal allocations to states, with some states reportedly seeing their revenues double or even triple. This fiscal improvement, Omokri implied, reflects well on Tinubu’s economic management style and presents a stark contrast to the supposed legacy of Peter Obi.

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Addressing his ongoing social media battles with Obi’s supporters, popularly known as Obidients, Omokri claimed that he is not afraid of the Labour Party candidate—in fact, he alleged that it is Obi and his allies who fear him.

“How can I be afraid of Peter Obi? Peter Obi is the one that is afraid of me,” Omokri said. “His official spokesman Valentine is on my Facebook, X, and Instagram profiles every day, insulting me.”

He encouraged Nigerians to verify his claim by reviewing his social media pages. Omokri has become a polarizing figure online, often engaging in fierce political debates and drawing both praise and backlash for his commentary.

Segun Sowunmi Also Joins the Obi Critique

In a related development, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Segun Sowunmi echoed disillusionment with Peter Obi, calling him his “greatest disappointment” since the 2023 elections. During an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time, Sowunmi criticized Obi for failing to build on the momentum he gained during the 2023 presidential race, where he finished third with over six million votes and significant youth support.

Sowunmi, a longtime ally of Atiku Abubakar, also criticized Obi’s alleged openness to joining a political coalition with Atiku and other opposition leaders aimed at unseating the APC in the 2027 elections. According to him, Obi has not lived up to the promise of transforming Nigerian politics or offering a credible third-force alternative.

As Nigeria prepares for the next political season, these statements from key political voices like Reno Omokri and Segun Sowunmi signal a turbulent road ahead for Peter Obi and the Labour Party. Whether Obi can respond effectively and reclaim his narrative remains to be seen.