Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has called on Nigerians to break away from outdated practices of tribalism, religious bias, and the “my turn” mentality that has influenced leadership selection. Instead, he urged the nation to prioritize competence, integrity, and forward-thinking in the appointment of leaders, emphasizing that this shift is necessary for Nigeria’s progress.
Obi’s remarks came shortly after Nigerian-born Kemi Badenoch was appointed leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, an achievement he described as “gratifying” and a timely reminder of Nigeria’s potential on the global stage. Sharing his thoughts on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi encouraged Nigerians to celebrate Badenoch’s success as a model for positive change in the country’s leadership approach.
“The election of Nigerian-born @KemiBadenoch as the leader of the Conservative Party in the UK comes at a time when Nigerians need to reaffirm their belief in their own potential,” Obi said. “Her success is a testament to the global promise of Nigerian and African youth, showcasing the strength of diversity and the accomplishments possible when we prioritize competence, capacity, and integrity.”
Obi further stated that Badenoch’s achievement highlights a “leadership paradox” in Nigeria, where younger leaders with innovative ideas and strong capabilities often remain sidelined in favor of older figures with less drive and vision. He called on Nigerians to use Badenoch’s accomplishment as motivation to reshape the nation’s leadership framework.
“It is time to move past outdated traditions of tribalism, religious bias, and the ‘my turn’ syndrome and foster an environment that values competence, capacity, integrity, fresh perspectives, and forward-thinking leadership,” he added, stressing that embracing a new generation of leaders is essential to building a brighter future for Nigeria and Africa.
In a separate discussion on the Honest Bunch Podcast, Obi also spoke about the impact of gender on corruption, suggesting that women are generally less corrupt than men due to their family-oriented nature and greater drive to improve society. He shared his own experience as governor of Anambra State, where he appointed women to key positions.
“Women are less corrupt. They are not as corrupt as men. And because they have families, they are more determined to see things work,” Obi explained, noting that his Chief of Staff and commissioners for Education and Planning were women, and he observed a notable commitment to integrity and public service in their work.
