The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has chided the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, over his comment describing Internet fraudsters, popularly known as yahoo boys, as “geniuses” who need redirection.

In a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC described Obi’s remark as “morally reprehensible.”

Oladejo said it was disappointing and dangerous for someone who once aspired to lead Nigeria to make statements that appear to trivialize criminal behaviour in a country struggling to restore its moral values.

“There’s nothing genius about crime. Yahoo-Yahoo is a social tragedy, not a talent.

“We are genuinely worried about Obi’s state of mind—one that glorifies fraudulent practices while condemning corruption and dishonesty in the same breath. Such contradiction exposes a profound moral confusion that has no place in leadership.”

He, however, accused the former Anambra State governor of desperation for political relevance, saying that Obi’s so-called compassion for fraudsters was misplaced.

“His desperation for attention has replaced reasoned leadership with reckless speech. There should be a limit to unbridled desperation,” he added.

Oladejo said that Obi owed Nigerian youths an apology for misleading them during the 2023 elections “through propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation.”

Urging him to stop making statements that undermine moral discipline among young people.

The Lagos APC, while insisting that it supports youth empowerment and innovation, rejected any attempt to romanticise or excuse cybercrime.

It emphasised that leadership must be grounded in values and integrity, not populism or social media appeal.

It would be recalled that Obi had, on Saturday, while addressing a youth conference in Onitsha, themed “Money Beyond Wealth,” stated that some Yahoo boys possessed creativity and intelligence that could be redirected towards productive enterprise if properly guided.

He noted that reckless pursuit of money could destroy both character and community, stressing that money is just a fraction of true wealth.