Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised alarm over the growing trend of transactional politics in Nigeria, where politicians bankroll young
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised alarm over the growing trend of transactional politics in Nigeria, where politicians bankroll young people to harass and discredit advocates of good governance on social media.
Speaking at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Obi condemned the disturbing practice, describing it as a betrayal of the very youth whose future is at stake.
โIn the transactional politics of Nigeria, some people pay them to cause confusion. Go to social media, those that are being paid โฆ20,000, โฆ40,000 monthly to abuse you are the same youths youโre fighting for their live because I am over 60 and I have few years to go,โ he said.
Obi called the situation both tragic and ironic: the same young Nigerians who should be champions of reform are being weaponized against itโused to defend a broken system they suffer under.
He stressed the urgent need for a political awakening among the youth, urging them to reject crumbs from corrupt politicians and instead embrace knowledge, critical thinking, and civic responsibility.
โWe must move away from politics driven by money and manipulation. Our youths must be empowered with knowledge, not stipends to insult those seeking change,โ he added.
His remarks come against the backdrop of increasing online misinformation and targeted harassment in Nigeriaโs digital political space, especially aimed at opposition voices and reform advocates.
