Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has emphasized that combating corruption in Nigeria is more straightforward than commonly believed, stating that government officials can significantly reduce corrupt practices by ensuring they and their families refrain from stealing public funds.
Speaking during a youth and leadership session with students at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi on Friday, the former Anambra State Governor argued that personal integrity at the highest levels of government could dramatically curtail corruption across the nation.
“Fighting corruption is not as difficult as people make it look,” Obi declared to the university audience. “If you, your wife and children are not stealing, you have reduced corruption by 60 per cent.”
The 2023 presidential candidate drew from his extensive experience in both the private and public sectors to support his argument, citing his tenure as chairman of a financial institution during a period when many bank directors were allegedly misusing their positions for personal gain.
“I’ve served as chairman of a bank at a time when most people who were directors of banks were busy taking loans from their banks,” Obi explained. “Go and check any bank where I was a director or chairman, whether that bank gave me a loan as a director. Go and check whether there was anything missing while I was there.”
Extending his corruption-fighting credentials to his political career, Obi challenged critics to scrutinize his eight-year tenure as Anambra State Governor, expressing confidence that no evidence of financial impropriety would be found.
“I served as governor of a state for eight years and I challenge everybody to go and show me where one kobo of Anambra State that I’m not entitled to was linked to me,” he stated.
During the university engagement, Obi also addressed speculation about his political future, reaffirming his commitment to seeking the presidency in 2027. However, he made a notable pledge regarding the duration of his potential service, stating that if elected, he would serve only a single four-year term.
The Labour Party leader’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about his political alignment and potential party affiliations ahead of the 2027 elections, though he has previously clarified his position against rejoining the Peoples Democratic Party.
