Fayemi canvasses institutional renewal, visionary leadership, pan-African solidarity

Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 polls, Peter Obi, has described his recent engagement in South Africa as a significant moment of continental reflection on governance, unity and Africa’s evolving political challenges, following meetings with two former African heads of state and other senior political figures.

At the event, the founder of Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement, Kayode Fayemi, called on African leaders to pursue institutional renewal, visionary leadership and continental solidarity as pathways to achieving genuine sovereignty and sustainable development across the continent.

Obi said the engagement took place during his movement between Cape Town and Johannesburg, where he met former Botswana President, Ian Khama, and former South African President, Thabo Mbeki.

According to him, the discussions provided an opportunity to exchange views on pressing regional issues, particularly immigration dynamics, peace-building, and the broader need for stronger cooperation among African nations.

He noted that both Khama and Mbeki remain influential figures in African political thought, even after leaving office, adding that their continued engagement in continental discourse “reflects their long-standing commitment to stability and development” across the region.

Obi emphasised that he expressed appreciation to both leaders for their public reflections on recent migration-related tensions in parts of Africa, as well as their consistent advocacy for unity and diplomatic solutions.

During the interaction, the former governor of Anambra State also reconnected with his Ekiti State counterpart, Fayemi, who delivered the 16th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day lecture organised by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation in Cape Town at the weekend.

Fayemi delivered a keynote address centred on the urgent need to rebuild African unity, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote policy coherence across the continent.

The lecture, which brought together scholars, policymakers, and political leaders, focused on the broader theme of Africa’s institutional resilience and the role of leadership in shaping sustainable development outcomes. According to Obi, the discussions at the event reinforced the importance of intellectual and political collaboration in addressing Africa’s long-standing governance and economic challenges.

According to him, the insights shared by Khama and Mbeki contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations about peace, migration management, and regional integration.

Obi added that the engagement was not merely ceremonial but reflective of a deeper commitment among African leaders to work towards a more stable, united and prosperous continent.

Delivering the Africa Day Lecture, Fayemi warned that Africa risked remaining vulnerable to external manipulation and internal instability if governments failed to strengthen democratic institutions and rebuild public trust.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Advancing African Unity: Sovereignty, Solidarity and the Renewal of Institutions’, Fayemi said Africa was at a defining historical crossroads marked by both immense opportunities and deep governance challenges.

“Africa stands today at a defining historical crossroads,” he said. “Across our continent, one senses simultaneously the weight of history and the urgency of the future.”

Fayemi described Africa as a continent of “extraordinary paradoxes”, noting that while the continent possesses enormous demographic strength, entrepreneurial energy and strategic global relevance, many of its countries continue to grapple with insecurity, poverty, inequality and weak democratic governance.

However, he warned that Africa must avoid remaining merely a supplier of raw materials to industrial powers.

The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development also decried weak institutions and personality-driven governance systems across the continent, warning that development could not be sustained without strong institutions and visionary leadership.