The Lagos branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned a recent statement made by Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
According to a Sunday statement from the Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, Obi’s comment, which suggested that internet fraudsters (known as “Yahoo boys”) are “geniuses” who just need proper guidance, is “morally reprehensible” and inappropriate for a former presidential aspirant.
Oladejo expressed disappointment that a figure like Obi would seem to downplay criminal activity, especially given Nigeria’s existing moral challenges. The APC insists that “Yahoo-Yahoo is a social tragedy, not a talent,” and there is “nothing genius about crime.”
The Lagos APC raised concerns about Obi’s moral consistency, questioning how someone who speaks out against corruption could simultaneously praise cybercrime. The spokesperson labelled this as a “dangerous moral confusion” unsuited for leadership.
The APC official further accused Obi of making controversial remarks purely to gain political attention, calling his position a “reckless attempt at attention-seeking” that shows “unrestrained desperation.”
Additionally, Oladejo alleged that Obi misguided many young voters during the 2023 elections with “propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation.” He urged the LP candidate to apologize to the youth, warning that his recent comments could promote moral misconduct.
Reaffirming its dedication to fostering youth innovation, the Lagos APC flatly rejected any attempt to justify or romanticize cybercrime. The party stressed that effective leadership must be grounded in “values, integrity, and moral responsibility.”
The background to this criticism is Obi’s address at a youth conference in Onitsha on Saturday, where he noted that many internet fraudsters possess intelligence and creativity that could be directed toward constructive pursuits if properly mentored. During the same speech, he advised young people against chasing money without values, emphasizing that “money is only a small fraction of true wealth” and urging them to prioritize hard work, character, and community building.
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