Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has said that tackling corruption in Nigeria is not as complicated as many people believe, insisting that personal discipline and integrity at the top could drastically reduce the problem.

 

Speaking on Friday during a youth and leadership session with students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, Obi argued that leaders who lead by example could cut corruption by more than half.

 

> “We are talking about corruption, but let me tell you, fighting corruption is not as difficult as people make it look,” Obi said. “If you, your wife and children are not stealing, you have reduced corruption by 60 per cent.”

 

 

 

Personal Track Record

The former Anambra State governor cited his own record in public service and the private sector as proof that honest leadership is possible. He recalled his tenure as chairman and director in several banks, stating that he never took loans from the banks he managed, unlike many others in similar positions.

 

> “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,” he said.

 

 

 

Obi also maintained that throughout his eight years as Anambra State governor, no public funds were linked to him outside his entitlements.

 

2027 Ambition

The LP leader, who came third in the 2023 presidential election, declared that if given the opportunity to serve as Nigeria’s president in 2027, he would do so for only one term of four years.

 

Obi has consistently campaigned on accountability, prudent management of resources, and anti-corruption reforms, saying these values are critical to Nigeria’s development and to restoring citizens’ trust in government.