Our Reporter, Abuja
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, on Wednesday said he met with several committees of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where he urged the EU to strengthen its engagement with Africa, especially Nigeria.
In an X post on Wednesday, Obi said he held “a series of constructive meetings” with members of the Committees on Foreign Affairs; Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; Transport and Tourism; Development; and the Africa–EU Delegation.
He appealed to the lawmakers to deepen their relationship with Africa, noting that the continent is “immensely endowed” but remains “the face of global poverty, largely because of bad leadership and entrenched corruption, a reality clearly reflected in Nigeria.”
Obi called for EU support in advancing good governance and strengthening democratic processes “in ways that promote the emergence of competent leaders with the capacity and integrity to transform our nations.”
He also urged collaboration in tackling insecurity, boosting power supply, improving education and healthcare, and addressing poverty. “Our success as a nation and the success of Africa have a direct benefit to Europe,” he said.
Obi further stressed the need to invest in Nigerian youths, who he described as having “immense desire and drive for entrepreneurship and productivity” but are “facing despair due to limited opportunities.”
“Africa, and indeed Nigeria, can and must work for all and contribute to global developments,” he said.
