The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, says “corruption has become the greatest threat to our national existence, especially our democracy, peace, and progress.”
He therefore urged Nigerian political leaders to shun corrupt practices, warning that leaders engaging in corruption are setting bad precedents for the children.
The former Anambra state governor stated these on Sunday on his X handle while reacting to the reported high percentage of youths engaging in cybercrime.
According to him, the question to be asked is “Where the children are learning such criminality from, if not from us the parents, especially we the leaders.”
Sharing his thoughts on the International Anti-Corrption Day which was held on Saturday, Obi wrote, “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.
“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 from, if not from us the parents, especially we the leaders.”
He added that he remained committed to a Nigerian nation free of corruption.
