Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described many so-called Yahoo boys as geniuses whose talents need redirection rather than condemnation.
Speaking in Onitsha during a youth-led convention where he was a guest speaker, Obi urged Nigerians to see the potential in these young people.
“I told the youths that some of our so-called Yahoo boys are geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation. Their creativity and courage, if properly guided, can drive innovation and national development. Our challenge is to channel their energy from deception to productive enterprise,” Obi said in a statement.
He cautioned that Nigeria cannot achieve greatness while glorifying corruption and rewarding dishonesty, likening the nation’s moral decay to the failings of the political class.
While acknowledging the importance of money, Obi emphasized that true wealth lies in integrity, character, and purpose.
“Real wealth uplifts both the individual and society. It promotes education, reduces poverty, and creates opportunities for others to live dignified lives,” he added.
The former Anambra State governor revealed that he cut short his travels to attend the event after returning from the United Kingdom, driven by a desire to encourage Nigerian youths.
Commenting on Nigeria’s leadership challenges—especially after the IMF omitted Nigeria from Africa’s top growth list—Obi lamented the nation’s moral decline and obsession with materialism.
“I went straight to Onitsha because the event tackled a vice that has eroded our values—the greed for material possessions,” he said.
Obi also condemned religious violence, stressing that fairness, justice, and merit should guide national life regardless of faith or ethnicity.
“No religion or tribe buys bread cheaper than another. Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources; what we lack is the will to do what is right. Once we embrace justice, fairness, and merit, our nation’s greatness will naturally unfold,” he concluded.
