Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, has asserted that there are more “yahoo people” in government than on the streets.
Speaking at the 4th graduation ceremony of Nexford University on Saturday, Obi described Nigeria as a “crime scene,” emphasizing the urgent need for quality leadership to tackle the nation’s challenges. He encouraged graduates to become catalysts for positive change within their communities.
“When we discuss vices, it’s important to look beyond the yahoo boys on the streets,” Obi stated. “The reality is that there are more yahoo people in government than outside it. We have turned the entire country into a crime scene, with individuals both inside and outside the government engaged in theft.”
Obi highlighted the significance of character and integrity in leadership, asserting that building a better society necessitates strong moral values and the courage to make the right choices.
“It’s not rocket science, but it’s certainly not easy. It requires a strong character and the ability to resist the temptation to do wrong,” he explained. “You have acquired knowledge today—leverage it to help transform society. You are victims of a system where previous generations have failed to act rightly, and now you are facing the repercussions.”
Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili also addressed the graduates, underscoring the importance of service and leadership.
“Service is the highest form of leadership,” she remarked. “View this graduation as a chance to serve—whether in your professional endeavors or in the broader context of the country. The modern workplace is vastly different from what it once was, and it is essential that you master it.”
Leave a Reply