Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has argued that tackling corruption in Nigeria is far simpler than many believe.
Speaking on Friday, August 8, during a youth and leadership talk session with students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Obi insisted that leading by example is the first major step in the fight against corruption.
“We are talking about corruption, but let me tell you, fighting corruption is not as difficult as people make it look,” he said.
Obi added, “If you, your wife, and children are not stealing, you have reduced corruption by 60 per cent.”
The former Anambra State governor recalled his own records in both the banking sector and public office.
“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.
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“Go and check any bank where I was a director or chairman, where that bank gave me a loan as a director. Go and check whether there was anything missing while I was there.
“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,” Obi stated.
He also reiterated that if given the opportunity to serve as president in 2027, he would limit his administration to one term.
“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.
“People say, What can you do in four years? There is a lot you can do in four years because you can bring civility and laws that start good governance in four years,”Obi added.