Group Defends Tinubu’s Kenya Comparison, Faults Obi’s Criticism
Oru Leonard
A political advocacy group, The Democratic Front (TDF), has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to benchmark Nigeria’s economic performance against Kenya, dismissing criticism from former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as misplaced and inconsistent.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group said it was “amused” by Obi’s reaction to the President’s comparison, arguing that it reflected a pattern of what it described as hasty and inaccurate public commentary.
TDF accused Obi of previously relying on questionable statistics during the 2023 election campaigns and alleged that he often compares Nigeria with countries that suit his narrative without accounting for differences in economic and political structures.
The group maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was justified in comparing Nigeria with Kenya, citing similarities such as their shared colonial history, anglophone status, and comparable economic frameworks.
“It is not out of place for Nigeria to be benchmarked against a fellow African country like Kenya, given their geopolitical and economic affinities,” the statement said.
TDF further highlighted recent policy developments in both countries, noting that while Nigeria’s tax reforms have yielded positive outcomes, similar efforts in Kenya reportedly triggered widespread unrest. It also pointed to differences in petroleum pricing, claiming that fuel costs remain significantly higher in Kenya when converted to naira.
The group stressed that economic benchmarking must be grounded in verifiable data and sound comparative analysis, insisting that the President’s approach aligns with standard global practices.
It concluded by urging Nigerians to critically assess political narratives, while accusing Obi of failing to acknowledge what it described as ongoing economic progress under the current administration.
