Renowned politician and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has underscored the critical role of addressing leadership failure in overcoming the hurdles to Africa’s growth and development.
In a series of posts on his X handle on Monday, Obi emphasized that without effectively tackling this pervasive challenge, the realization of Africa’s potential remains a distant dream.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, highlighted the paradox of Africa possessing abundant human and natural resources, yet being hindered by leadership failure. With Africa being the second-largest and second-most populous continent globally, boasting a youthful and dynamic workforce of over 1.4 billion people, Obi stressed the continent’s strategic importance in the global economy.
He noted the immense potential derived from vast natural resources and over 874 million hectares of arable land, positioning Africa as a key player.
Referencing the wisdom of the late Prof Achebe on Nigeria, Obi stated, “the challenge with Africa is simply and squarely a leadership problem.”
He attributed this problem to the reluctance of African leaders to fulfill their responsibilities, asserting that governments across the continent have transformed into “gigantic criminal enterprises.”
Obi echoed the sentiments of Prof. Lumumba, highlighting the need to dismantle the prevalent criminal style of leadership that diverts public wealth into private pockets.
He called upon African youths, equipped with talent and energy, to contribute to technological, health, and other advancements, urging them to reject the current leadership morass.
“The fate of Africa is in our hands, especially in the hands of our youths. We can ignite the long-overdue emancipation of the African continent by adding our voices to the need for change, but more importantly, by committing to ending Africa’s leadership morass,” Obi declared, signaling a call to action for a transformative shift in leadership paradigms.
