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Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt political leaders, highlighting the urgent need for Nigeria to address its ongoing leadership crisis.
During a visit to Dele Momodu's home on Thursday, Obi stated, “Corruption is significantly impacting Nigeria. Perhaps we should adopt the approaches seen in China where the severity of theft results in capital punishment; significant theft brings life imprisonment; and even minor theft warrants at least a decade behind bars.”
He lamented that Nigeria’s enduring challenges stem from poor, citizen-centered leadership and noted a troubling shift in societal values: “People have lost appreciation for hard work, productivity, and entrepreneurship.
Nowadays, those without traditional jobs often enjoy a higher standard of living than diligent workers. Individuals with no official employment appear to thrive, which illustrates a broader crisis. We must confront the issue of corruption head-on.”
The former governor of Anambra state also stressed the need for substantial investment in essential development sectors, advocating for compassionate leadership in Nigeria.
“By strictly addressing corruption and investing in vital areas, we can reach our goals by electing individuals with competence, integrity, and empathy. True leadership must be guided by compassion. Anything less than a leadership that prioritizes citizens is futile,” he remarked.
Obi's comments come on the heels of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria being ranked among the world's most corrupt leaders.
This notorious recognition followed a call by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project for global citizens to nominate those who have actively contributed to criminal enterprises while exacerbating poverty.
The organization, which links a network of investigative journalists and activists globally, revealed that Nigerian President Tinubu was voted into the third position, trailing behind the Kenyan President William Ruto, who secured the highest votes, and the former Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
