Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has responded to recent comments made by Kemi Badenoch, a Nigeria-born leader in the UK’s Conservative Party, who criticized the state of Nigeria. In an X post on Tuesday, Obi urged Nigerians to view her remarks as a call to action to improve the country’s living conditions.
Badenoch had stated that she would not want Britain to become impoverished like Nigeria, where poor governance and corrupt politicians have caused widespread suffering. Obi acknowledged that the comments sparked mixed reactions in Nigeria, with some defending Badenoch’s statement as an accurate reflection of the country’s issues.
Obi pointed to a similar critique made a few years ago by a respected Nigerian newspaper, which highlighted poor infrastructure and insecurity as major challenges facing the country. He noted that despite the passage of time, these issues have largely remained unchanged, if not worsened.
The former governor highlighted how international travel advisories have painted Nigeria in an unflattering light, particularly in areas like healthcare, where the country’s facilities are underdeveloped despite having well-trained professionals. He lamented that essential medications, such as those for diabetes and hypertension, are often unavailable, and counterfeit drugs pose a significant risk.
Obi called for Nigerians to move beyond blind patriotism and instead view such criticisms as opportunities for growth. He emphasized the need for the country to address its shortcomings in order to attract investment and improve the quality of life for its citizens. “International reproach, such as that from Badenoch, and negative reviews should serve as a challenge for us to do better,” he concluded, urging for a renewed focus on development to create a better Nigeria.
