Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over the growing trend of Nigerian youths accepting money from politicians to attack and insult advocates of good governance online
Speaking at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., Obi said, “In the transactional politics of Nigeria, some people pay them to cause confusion. Go to social media, those that are being paid N20,000, N40,000 monthly to abuse you are the same youths you’re fighting for.”
He described the situation as both disheartening and ironic, stressing that those opposing reform efforts are the very ones who would benefit most from a transparent and accountable government.
Obi called for a political reawakening among Nigerian youths, urging them not to allow themselves to be used by corrupt political actors.
“We must move away from politics driven by money and manipulation. Our youths must be empowered with knowledge, not stipends to insult those seeking change,” he said.
His remarks come as concerns grow over the rise of misinformation and online harassment in Nigeria’s digital political space, particularly against reformist voices and opposition figures.
