The Same Youths We Fight For Are Paid N20K to Abuse Us — Peter Obi

Posted by Thandiubani on Fri 25th Apr, 2025 - tori.ng

lamented what he described as troubling: Nigerian youths are recruited and compensated to sow discord online.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has lamented that Nigerian youths prefer to take money from politicians to target and insult advocates of good governance on social media.

Obi stated this while speaking at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C.

“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,” he said.

He described the situation as both disheartening and ironic, noting that the very individuals working against reform efforts are the ones who stand to benefit most from a more accountable and transparent government.

Obi emphasised the need for a major political reorientation among Nigerian youths, urging them to resist being used as tools by corrupt political actors.

“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.

His comments come amid growing concerns over misinformation and online harassment in Nigeria’s digital political space, especially targeting reform-minded voices and opposition figures.

Watch the video below:

“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