Lagos APC Slams Peter Obi: Yahoo Is Crime, Not Creativity

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned what it described as a “reckless and morally reprehensible” comment credited to the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in which he reportedly referred to internet fraudsters—popularly known as Yahoo Boys—as “geniuses who need redirection, not condemnation.”

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. (Mogaji) Seye Oladejo, the party said Obi’s remark represented “a new low” for a politician “on a free fall,” accusing him of glorifying criminality in a country still struggling to restore its moral fabric.

Oladejo said the statement by Obi was not only irresponsible but reflected a dangerous moral confusion. “We are genuinely worried about Mr. Obi’s state of mind — one that glorifies fraudulent practices while condemning corruption and dishonesty in the same breath. Such contradiction exposes a profound moral confusion that has no place in leadership. Nigerians owe their Creator immense gratitude that the nation dodged a bullet during the last presidential election,” he said.

The Lagos APC spokesman accused the former Anambra State governor of desperation for relevance following what he called the collapse of his so-called movement. “His desperation for attention has replaced reasoned leadership with reckless speech. There should be a limit to unbridled desperation,” Oladejo declared.

The party insisted that Obi owed Nigerian youths an unreserved apology for what it described as his attempt to romanticize crime. “Mr. Obi exploited the hopes and frustrations of Nigerian youths, feeding them with propaganda and emotional manipulation. The least he can do now is to stop insulting their intelligence with embarrassing statements. True leadership demands responsibility, not recklessness; moral strength, not moral confusion,” he said.

While reaffirming the APC’s commitment to youth empowerment and innovation, Oladejo warned against normalizing fraud under the guise of compassion. “Internet fraud is not genius; it is theft, deceit, and moral failure. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigerian youths are being equipped with real opportunities through initiatives such as the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, NELFUND, and digital innovation projects that offer legitimate paths to success,” he added.

Concluding, the Lagos APC spokesman said Obi’s “populism without principle” posed a danger to democratic values and called on Nigerians to remain vigilant. “Leadership is about values, not vibes; about integrity, not impulsiveness. Our youths deserve mentorship, not manipulation; inspiration, not incitement. The APC remains committed to promoting discipline, innovation, and moral rectitude as the true path to Nigeria’s greatness,” he stated.