The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has urged the European Union (EU) to strengthen its ties with Africa and support Nigeria’s fight against poverty, insecurity, and other developmental challenges.
Obi made the call at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday, after a series of meetings with members of several committees, including the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, the Africa-EU Delegation Committee, the Committee on Transport and Tourism, and the Committee on Development.
Speaking during the meetings, he appealed to the EU to deepen its relationship with Africa, particularly Nigeria, which he described as a key frontier for global development.
Obi emphasised that Africa is a continent of immense potential, the second-largest in both size and population, richly endowed with natural resources and powered by a vast and youthful demographic.
“Yet it remains the face of global poverty, largely because of bad leadership and entrenched corruption, a reality clearly reflected in Nigeria,” he lamented.
He urged the EU to support Africa’s development, particularly Nigeria’s, by advancing good governance. This includes supporting democratic processes in ways that promote the emergence of competent leaders with the capacity and integrity to transform African nations.
Obi also highlighted the importance of EU support in addressing insecurity, improving power generation and distribution, strengthening education and healthcare, and lifting citizens out of poverty.
“This is necessary because our success as a nation and the success of Africa have a direct benefit to Europe,” he explained.
He further stressed the need to invest in and support Nigerian youth, who he said possess a strong desire and drive for entrepreneurship and productivity, but are increasingly discouraged by limited opportunities.
“Africa, and indeed Nigeria, can and must work for all and contribute to global developments,” he added.
