Wike, Ohuabunwa Call for Transformational Leadership Ahead of 2027 Elections

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, have called for a decisive shift from transactional to transformational leadership across Africa. They warned that poor governance, corruption, and the capture of political power for personal gain continue to hold the continent back.

Speaking at the Innovate Africa Conference 2025 in Abuja, organised by Innovate Africa Corporation, Wike urged African leaders to move away from patronage-based politics toward visionary, accountable, and service-driven governance that delivers tangible results.

“Africa stands at a historic crossroads. We are blessed with immense natural wealth, youthful energy, and creativity, yet we face weak institutions, infrastructural decay, poverty, and unemployment. How can a continent so richly endowed remain so constrained?” Wike asked.

Delivering a keynote address titled “Reimagining Africa’s Leadership and Investment,” the FCT Minister said that both military and civilian leaders across the continent have often been guided by personal ambition rather than national interest. He called for a leadership model rooted in service, empowerment, and shared responsibility to drive development and prosperity.

Wike pointed to the ongoing infrastructural transformation in Abuja as proof that political will and vision can turn aspirations into measurable progress. He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s reform efforts, including the removal of fuel subsidies, describing it as a “bold and courageous decision that previous administrations failed to make.”

In his address, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, who is also the founder of the New Nigeria Group, decried the dominance of patronage and manipulation in African politics, noting that governance in many nations had become a contest for clan interests rather than a platform for competence and service.

“Government in many African nations has become a prize for clan interests, where offices are shared as rewards for loyalty or campaign funding. This undermines competence and slows national progress,” Ohuabunwa stated.

He called for what he termed a “power metamorphosis” — a transformation of political systems that promotes inclusivity, innovation, and integrity. According to him, decentralization, participation, empowerment, adaptability, and innovation are crucial to rebuilding Africa’s leadership ethos.

Ohuabunwa further urged reforms in leadership recruitment processes, reduction in the influence of money in politics, increased inclusivity and merit-based appointments, removal of age barriers to youth participation, and strict enforcement of term limits.

“Africa must shift from aid to strategic partnerships, from self-interest to the common good, and from political power as privilege to power as service,” he added.

Uloma Onyebuchi, co-founder of Innovate Africa, described the conference as more than a dialogue, calling it “a movement dedicated to celebrating African excellence, amplifying local innovation, and inspiring transformation from within.”

She emphasized that Africa’s sustainable development depends on leadership that inspires trust, technology that connects people, and governance that empowers communities. The conference, she said, seeks to foster collaboration and translate ideas into concrete action across key sectors including digital innovation, economic diversification, creative tourism, health, and security.

Opinion Nigeria News