Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has encouraged Nigerian political leaders to avoid unethical practices.
He stated that corrupt officials are providing a negative example for the children.
In response to the reported high percentage of youths engaging in cybercrime, Obi noted that the issue that needed to be posed was “Where the children are learning such criminality from, if not from us the parents, especially we the leaders?”
Reflecting on Saturday’s International Anti-Corruption Day, the former Anambra State Governor said in a lengthy post on his X handle on Sunday, “As the global community marked International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday, we need to soberly reflect on the effect of corruption in our society and on our country.
“Corruption has become the greatest threat to our national existence, especially our democracy, peace, and progress. It has immeasurably stunted our development as a nation.”
Obi added, “The gross abuse of the rule of law and disrespect for our constitution are all resultant effects of the endemic corruption that has eaten through the fabric of our society.
“More sadly, is the fact that we, the leaders, are not setting very good precedents for our children by engaging in all forms of corrupt practices.
“The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, was recently reported to have lamented the huge percentage of Nigerian youths in cybercrime.
“The question we must all ask is where the children are learning such criminality, if not from us, the parents, especially we, the leaders.”
He stated that he was still devoted to making Nigeria a corruption-free nation.
