Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed deep concern over the increasing prevalence of transactional politics in Nigeria, where certain politicians reportedly pay youths to target and insult those advocating for good governance on social media platforms.
Speaking during his address at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., Obi lamented the concerning trend of Nigerian youths being recruited and financially compensated to create chaos and discontent online, which he deems harmful to the country's political landscape.
“In the transactional politics of Nigeria, some people pay them to cause confusion. Go to social media, those that are being paid ₦20,000, ₦40,000 monthly to abuse you are the same youths you’re fighting for,” Obi said, highlighting the troubling contradiction that these youths, who are being used for negative political tactics, are the very ones who stand to benefit the most from the reforms he is advocating for.
Obi expressed his dismay over this situation, calling it both disheartening and ironic, as these youths, whom he is fighting to empower and support, are instead being used to work against the very change that could improve their futures. He emphasized the importance of political reorientation, urging the youths to resist being manipulated by those who only seek to preserve the status quo. He called for an end to the influence of money and manipulation in politics and stressed that empowering the youths with knowledge, rather than paying them small stipends to insult reformers, was key to the future of Nigeria's democracy.
“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 added, calling for a major shift in how politics is approached in Nigeria. His comments came amid growing concerns over the rise of misinformation and online harassment in Nigeria's digital political space, where reform-minded figures and opposition voices are increasingly being targeted by coordinated online attacks.
His remarks were made as part of an ongoing dialogue about the state of Nigerian politics and the need for genuine reform. Obi has been vocal in his criticisms of the political system and has consistently advocated for a Nigeria that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and sustainable progress for all its citizens.
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“Go to Nigeria, youths are being paid just ₦20,000 by politicians to insūlt those f!ghting for their future on social media.”
-Mr Peter Obi currently speaking at John Hopkins, Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/63wBGISq0y
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) April 24, 2025