Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, has expressed concerns about the rising security crisis in Africa. He said that non-state actors are increasingly taking control of security in several African nations. Speaking at an international dialogue in Athens, Greece, alongside former presidents, prime ministers, and top officials, Obi stressed the need for a leadership dialogue on governance issues.
During his presentation, Obi called for urgent action on various problems affecting the continent. He pointed to unemployment, corruption, poverty, and inequality as major challenges undermining security and peaceful coexistence. He stated that over 50% of Africa’s population suffers from multidimensional poverty, making the situation even more critical.
“I had the opportunity to join global leaders, including former presidents, military officials, renowned academics, and others in Athens for a leadership dialogue focused on governance. Specifically, we discussed security, the global economy, and how these lessons could be applied to develop future leadership,” Obi said.
Obi noted that despite Africa’s vast human and natural resources, significant challenges persist in governance, which hinder the continent’s development. He highlighted corruption, worsening poverty, high unemployment rates among the youth, and significant inequality as the major issues leading to insecurity.
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“Over 50% of the world’s multidimensional poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he mentioned, adding that Nigeria and Congo have over 60% of their populations living in poverty, facing unacceptable levels of inequality. This dire situation has led to non-state actors taking over security in some countries.
In addition to the security issue, Obi emphasized that many African nations are underinvesting in critical sectors like health and education, further compounding the continent’s problems. He called for bold leadership that takes transformative actions to ensure people-centered development. According to Obi, leaders must confront insecurity directly and restore citizens’ trust in the state’s ability to maintain order and safety.
“Africa needs leaders who are not afraid to invest in critical areas of development such as health and education. The issues of poverty, unemployment, hunger, and corruption must be addressed with urgency to ensure sustainable growth,” he urged.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s potential for progress, saying, “Nigeria has all the resources it needs to embark on the right developmental path. We remain committed to moving the nation forward.” Concluding his remarks, he said, “A New Nigeria is possible.”
