Lagos APC criticises Peter Obi for describing Yahoo boys as “geniuses,” calling his remark morally reprehensible and a dangerous trivialisation of crime.
LagosAPCvsObi has stirred political debate as the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) criticised Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, over his recent comment describing Internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, as “geniuses” who need redirection.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC described Obi’s remark as “morally reprehensible”, accusing him of trivialising criminal behaviour in a country striving to restore its moral values.
APC: “There’s Nothing Genius About Crime”
Oladejo said it was disappointing and dangerous for someone who once aspired to lead Nigeria to make statements that appear to glorify fraud.
He added that Obi’s comment reflected “a profound moral confusion”, arguing that it was contradictory for him to condemn corruption while romanticising cybercrime.
“Desperation for Relevance”
The Lagos APC spokesperson further accused Obi of desperation for political relevance, saying his “so-called compassion for fraudsters” was misplaced.
He also claimed that Obi owed Nigerian youths an apology for allegedly misleading them during the 2023 elections through propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation.
APC Reaffirms Stance on Youth Empowerment
While reaffirming its support for youth empowerment and innovation, the Lagos APC rejected any attempt to romanticise or excuse cybercrime, insisting that leadership must be grounded in values and integrity, not populism or social media appeal.
Obi’s Original Comment
It would be recalled that Peter Obi, while addressing a youth conference in Onitsha on Saturday, themed “Money Beyond Wealth,” said that some Yahoo boys possessed creativity and intelligence that could be redirected toward productive enterprise if properly guided.
He also warned that the reckless pursuit of money could destroy both character and community, stressing that money is only a fraction of true wealth.
