The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned remarks made by Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, describing them as “morally reprehensible” and unbecoming of a former governor and presidential hopeful.
Obi had reportedly referred to Internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo boys,” as “geniuses” who only need proper redirection, during a youth conference in Onitsha on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC said Obi’s comments were “disappointing and alarming,” adding that they trivialised criminal behaviour at a time when the country is grappling with deep moral challenges.
“There’s nothing genius about crime. Yahoo-Yahoo is a social tragedy, not a talent,” Oladejo said. “We are genuinely concerned about Obi’s moral compass. How can someone who constantly condemns corruption also glorify cybercrime? Such contradictions reveal a dangerous moral confusion that has no place in leadership.”
The APC spokesman accused Obi of seeking political relevance through controversy, describing his remarks as a “reckless attempt at attention-seeking.”
“His desperation for attention has replaced reasoned leadership with reckless speech. There should be a limit to unrestrained desperation,” he added.
Oladejo further alleged that Obi misled many young Nigerians during the 2023 elections through “propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation.” He urged the LP candidate to apologise to the youth, warning that such rhetoric could promote moral indiscipline.
While reaffirming the APC’s commitment to youth empowerment and innovation, the Lagos chapter maintained that no act of criminality should ever be romanticised.
“Leadership must be rooted in values, integrity, and moral responsibility,” Oladejo stated.
Meanwhile, Obi, during the Onitsha event, had clarified that his comments were not to justify cybercrime but to highlight the creative potential of Nigerian youths. He argued that many so-called “Yahoo boys” possess intelligence and ingenuity that could be harnessed for positive ventures if properly guided, urging young people to prioritise character, hard work, and community development over the pursuit of money.