Former Nigerian Vice-Presidential candidate and Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has commended Scotland’s choice of Humza Yousaf as the first non-White First Minister of the country. The 37-year-old of South Asian descent was elected leader of the Scottish National Party on Monday, March 27, and will be the youngest and first Muslim leader of a government in western Europe.
Humza Yousaf’s family originates from Pakistan, and his parents migrated to Scotland in the 1960s. He studied Politics at the University of Glasgow, joined the SNP while he was an undergraduate, and became a member of parliament in 2011, serving as the first Muslim and non-White cabinet minister to serve in the Scottish Government.
Reacting to Yousaf’s appointment, Peter Obi applauded the Scottish democracy for prioritizing character, competence, capacity, and compassion over ethnicity and religion in selecting credible leaders. He noted that Nigeria could learn from this approach to democracy, which places emphasis on the individual’s ability to lead effectively.
Yousaf’s election marks a significant milestone in the country’s political landscape, reflecting Scotland’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. As Scotland’s first non-White First Minister, Yousaf is expected to bring a unique perspective to the job and champion the interests of minority communities
