Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned political economist, has announced that he will no longer pursue any political office in Nigeria, nor will he accept any government appointment or contract.
Utomi made the revelation on Friday during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, stating that his focus is solely on the well-being of the next generation, rather than personal political ambitions.
“Let me state clearly: I will not run for public office, I will not accept an appointment or contract by any government in Nigeria. My only concern is the well-being of the next generation,” Utomi declared.
The professor, who has had a distinguished career in academia and political commentary, further explained his decision, emphasising that he has lived his life decently without government funding or corruption.
“I have lived my life decently without government money or stealing anybody’s thing. I want to take that away from people who talk nonsense like, ‘Oh, he is looking for a contract,’” he said.
On the subject of a shadow government, Utomi described it as a democratic means for citizens to come together and demand greater government accountability.
“Nothing can be more democratic than a group of citizens coming together to find a structured way of asking the government to be more accountable. What could be more democratic than that?” he asked.
Utomi encouraged Nigerians to engage with the Afrobarometer, an annual survey that has tracked citizens’ opinions across Africa since 1999. He said the survey provides valuable insights into how citizens perceive democracy and governance.
“I usually preface this conversation with what we’ve done to the African. There are Afrobarometer readings, an annual survey that has been going on since 1999, of how Nigerians, and Africans generally, feel. It gives all kinds of details,” he explained.
According to Utomi, the data from the Afrobarometer reveals that while Africans continue to support democracy, they are increasingly frustrated with its failure to deliver meaningful results.
“It states that Africans still love democracy, cling to it, but they are tired because their democracies are not working,” he said.
He believes the time has come to reform democracy in Nigeria and across Africa, calling for a renewal of democratic values and principles.
“So, trying to make democracy a fine renewal or revival should be something that any true democrat should embrace,” Utomi said, adding that he expects this effort to be supported by the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially if the party looks back at its founding principles.
Utomi also criticised the current state of Nigeria’s democracy, stating that it has lost its purpose and is now focused on individual power rather than serving the people.
“Our democracy does not have meaning. The purpose of serving the people is lost. It’s about individual gain or power,” he concluded.
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