Our Correspondent | Africa Guardian
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Nigerian general election, expressed deep concern over Africa’s worsening security situation, noting that “non-state actors have now taken over security in some African countries.” Obi made this statement during an international leadership dialogue held in Athens, Greece, which was attended by former presidents, top government officials, and global leaders.
In his address, Obi highlighted unemployment, corruption, poverty, and inequality as the key factors undermining security and peace in Africa. He pointed out that more than 50% of the continent’s population suffers from multi-dimensional poverty.
“I joined global leaders—former presidents, prime ministers, current and former senior government officials, military chiefs, academics, sports figures, and others—for a Leadership Dialogue in Athens focused on governance, particularly in areas of security and the economy. We discussed the challenges of today’s world and the lessons for future leadership,” Obi said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar.
Obi underscored the need for leaders to recognize the significant global and generational shifts occurring today. Despite Africa’s abundant human and material resources, he lamented that basic needs in governance remain unmet. He called for urgent attention to collective security, poverty alleviation, and reducing inequality and injustice.
“In Africa, we are grappling with high levels of insecurity, rampant corruption, worsening poverty, and soaring youth unemployment. Nations like Nigeria and Congo have over 60% of their populations living in poverty, and the inequality is staggering. In some places, non-state actors have taken control of security,” he added.
Obi also stressed the underinvestment in critical areas such as health and education across many African nations. He urged future African leaders to take bold, transformative actions to foster people-centred development.
“African leaders must directly confront insecurity and reassure their citizens of the state’s ability to maintain security without interference from non-state actors. Corruption needs to be addressed with unwavering determination. Investment in health, education, and poverty alleviation is crucial to tackling unemployment and other pressing social issues,” he emphasized.
Obi concluded by stating that Nigeria has the necessary resources to achieve these goals and reiterated his commitment to guiding the nation onto the right path.
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