Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Africans in the diaspora to take a more active role in promoting credible elections, good governance and accountable leadership across the continent, saying Africa’s future depends on citizens’ commitment to defending democracy.
Obi made the call while delivering a keynote address at the Mandela Hall of the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, where he spoke on “The Role of the African Diaspora in Sustainable Development across Africa.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor said although Africa is richly endowed with human and natural resources, poor leadership has continued to undermine the continent’s development and deepen poverty.
He noted that Africa is home to more than 1.5 billion people, including over one billion young people of productive age, and possesses nearly one billion hectares of arable land, much of which remains uncultivated.
Despite these enormous advantages, Obi said the continent still accounts for the largest number of people living in extreme poverty because governments have failed to provide responsible and visionary leadership.
According to him, “the missing link is leadership with capacity, compassion, character and commitment to good governance.”
Obi urged Africans living abroad to deploy the knowledge, experience and exposure they have gained in countries with stronger democratic institutions to support reforms and strengthen governance in their home countries.
He stressed that beyond contributing financially through remittances, the diaspora has a responsibility to speak out against bad governance, promote accountability and encourage credible electoral processes.
“Even where you cannot vote, your voices matter. They should be heard both at home and abroad whenever things are going wrong on our continent. Stand firmly for what is right and speak truth to leaders,” he said.
Obi cited countries such as Japan, China and India as examples of nations that have leveraged the expertise and investments of their diaspora communities to accelerate national development.
He added that African professionals abroad, particularly those in healthcare, education, technology and other strategic sectors, could play a transformative role in the continent’s growth if governments created an enabling environment for them to contribute.
The former governor maintained that credible elections remain the foundation of legitimate governments and sustainable development, insisting that only transparent electoral processes can produce leaders capable of building strong institutions, implementing people-centred policies and unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential.
He therefore urged Africans in the diaspora to remain steadfast in defending democratic values and supporting initiatives that promote electoral integrity, accountability and inclusive development across the continent.
