Peter Obi scrutinizes the substantial Olympic expenditure after Nigeria failed to secure a single medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Nigeria, has vehemently condemned the country’s poor performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Obi expressed his “dissatisfaction” that Team Nigeria failed to win a single medal at the Games, despite a significant financial investment of around 12 billion naira (approximately $85,000 per athlete) in a lengthy post on his official X account.
In contrast, Obi noted that Jamaica, a much smaller country, spent far less – around $2,300 per athlete – and won six medals, including one gold.
“How can one explain that a country like Jamaica spent less than 5% of what we spent on our contingents for the Paris Olympics 2024 and won as many as 6 medals? Yet with our huge financial investments and large contingent, we could not win even a single medal?” Obi questioned.
The former presidential candidate also highlighted the case of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, whose name was “irresponsibly and incorrectly removed” from the 100m event, as well as that of former Nigerian hammer thrower Annette Echikunwoke, who switched her allegiance to the United States and won a medal.
Obi accused Nigerian sports officials of “irresponsibility and incompetence”, claiming that some injured athletes and officials who had no reason to be at the Olympics were present in Paris, “enjoying lavish allowances” while the country’s athletes struggled.
One of our athletes, Ese Ukpeseraye, had to borrow a bicycle to compete at her sporting event!” Obi exclaimed, describing the situation as a “disgrace” and calling for an investigation into the “gross misconduct”.
Obi’s scathing criticism comes as a blow to the Nigerian government, which had hoped for a strong performance from its athletes in Paris.
The former Governor of Anambra’s comments have reignited the debate about the need for better management and investment in Nigerian sports.
Photo source: Instagram
