Fighting corruption not difficult as people make it look — Peter Obi
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has stated that tackling corruption in Nigeria is much simpler than many people assume, provided leaders and their families lead by example.
Obi made this assertion on Friday during a youth and leadership dialogue with students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
Addressing a packed audience of students, the former Anambra State governor said:
“We are talking about corruption, but let me tell you, fighting corruption is not as difficult as people make it look. If you, your wife, and children are not stealing, you have reduced corruption by 60 percent.”
He backed his point with personal examples, citing his time in the private and public sectors.
“I’ve served as chairman of a bank at a time when most directors were busy taking loans from their own institutions. You can go and verify, no bank where I was a director gave me a loan. I left nothing missing,” Obi said.
Reflecting on his two-term tenure as governor of Anambra State, he challenged anyone to show proof that he diverted public funds for personal use.
“I served for eight years and I challenge everybody to go and show me where one kobo of Anambra State money that I’m not entitled to was linked to me,” he declared.
Obi reiterated that fighting corruption requires discipline, transparency, and a willingness to lead by example.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Obi once again expressed his commitment to serve for only one term if elected president.
“If I have the opportunity to serve as Nigeria’s president in 2027, I will do so for only four years. It can be less, but it will never be more. I will not stay a day longer than four years,” he said.
Responding to sceptics who question what can be achieved in just one term, Obi insisted that four years is more than enough to initiate real change.
“There is a lot you can do in four years. You can bring civility and laws that start good governance,” he concluded.
