*Urges China-Style crackdown on graft
In a fiery call for justice and national rebirth, the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has proposed the death penalty for leaders found guilty of high-level corruption in Nigeria.
His bold statement, shared during an interview posted on social media platform X, has sparked fresh national debate on the future of anti-corruption efforts in the country.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s progress is being choked by corruption, and only severe and uncompromising punishment, similar to what is practiced in countries like China, can cleanse the system and restore the nation's integrity.
“We must deal with the issue of corruption aggressively; maybe just like the Chinese are doing. Make sure that if there is an amount you steal, it is death sentence; if there is an amount you steal, it is life imprisonment; if there is an amount you steal, it is not less than 10 years,” Obi declared.
He emphasized that after stamping out corruption, the nation can finally channel resources into critical development sectors like education, healthcare, and productivity.
To sustain such a transformation, Obi outlined a clear standard for leadership selection, stressing that Nigeria must only elect leaders who are competent, capable and compassionate — driven by a citizen-first mentality
Obi’s stance marks one of the strongest anti-corruption policy proposals by a mainstream political figure in Nigeria’s recent history.
It underscores his belief that true change requires bold, sometimes uncomfortable decisions, especially when national survival is at stake.
As reactions pour in across the political spectrum, the question remains: Will Nigeria embrace such radical reforms to purge corruption, or will it remain stuck in cycles of impunity?
NATIONAL PANEL political desk will continue to monitor developments as this story unfolds.
