NEWS
“Poverty Actually Increased in Anambra Under Peter Obi. It’s a Fact” — Rufai Oseni Challenges Peter Obi’s Record, Says Poverty Rose in Anambra During His Tenure
Rufai Oseni, co-anchor of ARISE Television’s Morning Show, has sparked a fresh debate over the performance of former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, during his time in office.
Oseni made the remarks on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, while weighing into the ongoing public debate over Obi’s record as governor and the claims surrounding his achievements in Anambra.
The television anchor argued that while Obi’s administration recorded notable accomplishments in some sectors, available economic data should also be considered when assessing the overall impact of his tenure.
According to Oseni, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that poverty in Anambra increased during Obi’s administration, moving from the high 40 per cent range to above 50 per cent.
“Poverty actually increased in Anambra under Peter Obi. It’s a fact. Go and check NBS figures, from about the late 40-something percent to over 50-something percent,” Oseni said.
His comments have added another dimension to the debate over Obi’s legacy, particularly as supporters and critics continue to examine his record ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oseni, however, stressed that the increase in poverty was not peculiar to Anambra or Obi’s administration, noting that other states and administrations also experienced rising poverty levels.
He cited Lagos State as another example, pointing out that poverty had also increased there under subsequent administrations.
“Did poverty increase in Lagos? Yes. Under President Tinubu, it increased to over 63 per cent,” he said.
Despite his criticism of the poverty figures, Oseni acknowledged that Obi’s administration recorded significant achievements, particularly in the education sector.
He highlighted the state’s improvement in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) performance, saying Anambra moved from 26th position to first position during Obi’s tenure.
“Did he do some other things? Yes. Did he take the state from 26 position to number one position in WAEC? Yes, there are facts to that,” he said.
Oseni maintained that a balanced assessment of any administration should include both its achievements and shortcomings, rather than focusing exclusively on one side of its record.
Beyond Obi’s past performance in Anambra, the ARISE TV anchor also raised questions about the presidential candidate’s policy proposals and his preparedness to address some of Nigeria’s most pressing economic challenges.
He argued that Obi would need to provide Nigerians with clearer and more detailed policy documents outlining how he intends to tackle critical sectors if he seeks to govern the country.
Among the areas Oseni identified were electricity generation, industrial production, healthcare and fuel subsidy reforms.
On electricity, he said he was particularly interested in understanding how Obi intended to expand power generation and improve access to electricity across the country.
Oseni said he had previously sought clarification from Obi on the issue but had yet to see a definitive policy document providing sufficient details.
He specifically questioned how Obi intended to achieve a target of 10,000 megawatts of electricity generation and establish a stronger connection between power production and industrial consumption.
For Oseni, increasing electricity generation alone would not be enough without a comprehensive industrial strategy capable of translating increased power supply into economic production, employment and broader development.
He also called for greater clarity on Obi’s proposed healthcare policies and his position on fuel subsidies, arguing that simply retaining subsidies would not address the broader economic pressures facing Nigerians.
“It’s not just to say, okay, keep subsidy. Then how will you taper out inflation?” he asked.
Oseni’s remarks have therefore brought the conversation beyond the traditional arguments over Obi’s achievements in Anambra, challenging political actors and supporters to present measurable data and detailed policy proposals as Nigerians increasingly look ahead to the 2027 presidential election.