Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised alarm over the growing trend of transactional politics in Nigeria, where politicians allegedly bankroll young people to harass and discredit advocates of good governance on social media.

Speaking at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. in a video which started trending on Thursday, Obi condemned the disturbing practice, describing it as a betrayal of the very youth whose future is at stake.

“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 their live because I am over 60 and I have few years to go,” he said.

Obi called the situation both tragic and ironic: the same young Nigerians who should be champions of reform are being weaponized against it—used 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.

“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 remarks come against the backdrop of increasing online misinformation and targeted harassment in Nigeria’s digital political space, especially aimed at opposition voices and reform advocates.

Watch the video below: