A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has called on the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to desist from portraying Nigeria negatively, particularly during international engagements.

Sowunmi made this appeal while responding to Obi’s recent post on X, where the former Anambra State governor compared Nigeria’s economic trajectory with that of China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

During his address at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Obi highlighted that in 1990, when the Human Development Index (HDI) was introduced, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia were all ranked within the medium category. However, he pointed out that while China, Vietnam, and Indonesia have since advanced to the high HDI category, Nigeria has regressed into the low category by 2025.

Unhappy with Obi’s presentation, Sowunmi criticized the comparison, arguing that the metrics used were flawed and failed to capture the realities of Nigeria’s informal economy.

Responding on X, Sowunmi said: “With all due respect @PeterObi, these measurements are faulty. They are heavily skewed, as those who compile these figures lack any accurate method to assess the informal sector in Nigeria.”

He further admonished Obi, stating, “You must stop this narrative, especially at international gatherings. You should rather challenge the neo-liberal policies and deep-state manipulations that exert undue pressure on Africa.”

Sowunmi concluded by warning that no individual aspiring to lead Nigeria should become an "overzealous critic" of their own country. “Stop it immediately,” he urged.