By John Danjuma
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and 200 other distinguished political leaders from over 91 countries are currently in Chicago, Illinois, taking part in the 2024 International Leaders Forum (ILF).
Obi and two other Nigerians recognized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) joined former heads of government and senior politicians from around the world to observe the Democratic National Convention and engage in discussions on democratic trends and challenges.
The ILF, which takes place from August 19 to 22, aims to foster open dialogue and trust among leaders from diverse backgrounds and ideologies.
Obi, writing in his X handle, said, “Upon personal invitation from the Board of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), I, along with two other eminent Nigerians, and about two hundred other distinguished political leaders from over 91 countries, including former Heads of Governments, were invited to participate in the 2024 International Leaders Forum (ILF) on the side-lines of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, holding on 19-22 August 2024.
“I am honoured and grateful to Senator Thomas Daschle and the Board of NDI for the gracious invitation. Over the years, NDI has identified and invited key senior politicians and policymakers worldwide to observe an essential and rich facet of the United States of America’s democratic process.
“The ILF gathering allows leaders drawn from diverse nationalities, ideologies, and geographies to build relationships based on their everyday experiences while identifying peculiarities and common interests and addressing pressing challenges to democratic institutions, values, and norms.
As President Tamara Wittes stated, “Democracy is about communities making collective decisions even when people may have real differences of view – and so healthy democracy relies on fostering open dialogue and trust. Without that trust, every political argument and every election becomes a zero-sum, existential battle.”
This issue of trust and value was discussed during presentations and exchanges by participants, including DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, former DNC Chair, and now Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Prime Minister of Kosovo, Former Prime Minister of Denmark,
Former NATO Secretary General and others.
“The ILF offers those of us from Africa’s nascent and evolving democracies the opportunity to share our experiences and learn from others, as well as various norms germane to building resilient democracies.
“I am elated to be part of this process of conversations on global democracy trends and look forward to what promises to be very fruitful deliberations and constructive engagement.”
