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“If Anyone Should Be in Jail, It’s Us Politicians” — Peter Obi Reflects on Leadership, Justice and Nigeria’s Challenges
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has stirred conversations on governance and accountability after declaring that politicians, rather than many incarcerated individuals, should bear responsibility for Nigeria’s challenges.
Speaking at a summit hosted by The Summit Church, where he engaged with young entrepreneurs on leadership, business, and nation-building, Obi shared observations from a recent visit to the United States, highlighting what he described as eye-opening experiences involving academics and professionals who had served prison terms.
According to Obi, he encountered several respected scholars and university officials who had previously been incarcerated but had gone on to make significant contributions to society.
“In the University of Southern California, over the past few days, I met faculty members and people who had studied while in jail. You would be shocked by what they have been able to achieve,” he said.
He further recounted meeting senior academic figures, including a dean and a registrar, who had served lengthy prison sentences before rebuilding their careers.
“I saw a dean who said he spent 28 years in prison. I saw the registrar and others who had also spent years behind bars. It was amazing to see that they are now professors and respected academics,” Obi stated.
Reflecting on the experience, the former Anambra State governor argued that imprisonment should not permanently define individuals, noting that many people in correctional facilities may not deserve to be there in the first place.
“When you hear what is happening, you realize that many people think that once you go to jail, your life is over. Most of them are even people who are not supposed to be there in the first place,” he said.
Drawing a broader lesson on governance and public service, Obi turned his focus to Nigeria’s political class, making a striking remark that drew applause from attendees.
“If anybody should be in jail, it is us politicians for what we have done to this country,” he declared.
Obi urged young entrepreneurs and future leaders to uphold integrity, remain resilient in the face of institutional challenges, and recognize that leadership often requires navigating complex and imperfect systems while remaining committed to positive change.
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