Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party and a former governor of Anambra State has said that there is hope for Africa’s democratic future.
Obi made the assertion in a post on x after speaking at Yale University on the tenets of democracy and how Africa is navigating through the process.
He said, “In my contribution, I highlighted that Africa’s electorate disillusionment stems from a failure of leadership, largely due to the unfulfilled expectations of democratic governance.”
“I also emphasized that flawed elections, violations of term limits, and unresolved conflicts are significant obstacles to democratic progress. Internal divisions, including ethnic and religious differences, weaken institutions and widen the trust gap between the public and political leadership,” Obi said.
He added that he also acknowledged the role of new political movements in addressing exclusion and the necessity for more inclusive politics.
According to Obi, Africa’s transition from single-party to multi-party systems demonstrates that building democracy is challenging but achievable.
“I stressed that genuine reform demands political will and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law.
“Finally, despite the challenges, I expressed hope for Africa’s democratic future, urging the people, especially the youth, to commit to change, advocate for stronger governance, and demand electoral integrity,” he added.
Those in attendance with Obi at the event were Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister of education in Nigeria.