By Joshua Timi
The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned recent remarks credited to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, describing internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, as “geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation.”
In a statement made available to TheWest newspaper, the party’s spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladeye, expressed deep concern over what he called “an obscene and morally reprehensible statement” from Mr. Obi.
“This reckless comment represents a new low from a politician on a free fall, one so desperate to remain politically relevant that he now seeks validation through controversy,” Oladeye said. “It is both disappointing and dangerous that someone who once aspired to lead Nigeria would trivialize criminality in a country striving to rebuild its moral foundation.”
The APC spokesman further accused the former governor of displaying “moral confusion,” arguing that Mr. Obi’s comments glorify fraudulent practices while pretending to condemn corruption.
“Such contradictions expose a profound moral confusion that has no place in leadership,” Oladeye stated. “From his recent utterances, Nigerians owe their Creator immense gratitude that the nation dodged a bullet during the last presidential election. The thought of someone with such confused values leading this country is terrifying.”
According to the statement, Obi’s “collapsed movement” and lack of a credible political platform have allegedly driven him to seek attention through “reckless and divisive rhetoric.”
The APC also said Mr. Obi owes Nigerian youths an apology, accusing him of exploiting their frustrations during the 2023 campaign through “propaganda and emotional manipulation.”
“He misled many young Nigerians, feeding their hopes with deceit and social media hysteria. The least he can do now is to maintain some dignity by refraining from further embarrassing statements that insult the intelligence of the same youths he once deceived,” the statement read.
While reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment, the APC rejected any attempt to “romanticize crime or disguise theft as genius.”
“Internet fraud is not creativity, it is theft, deceit, and moral failure,” Oladeye emphasized. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigerian youths are being equipped with genuine opportunities through programmes such as the 3MTT (Three Million Technical Talent Programme), NELFUND, and various digital innovation initiatives.”
The statement added that true leadership is demonstrated through “empowerment and skill development, not the glorification of crime.”
“Leadership is about values, not vibes; about integrity, not impulsiveness,” the APC said. “Mr. Obi’s latest outburst is a tragic reminder that populism without principle is a danger to democracy.”
The Lagos APC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting discipline, innovation, and moral rectitude as the foundation for Nigeria’s progress, emphasizing that the country’s youths “deserve mentorship, not manipulation; inspiration, not incitement.”
