Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi has called on Nigerians to liberate themselves from what he calls “thugs and tropical gangsters masquerading as politicians.”
Utomi stated this in a series of posts shared on his X account on Wednesday and Thursday in commemoration of Democracy Day.
He said June 12 should serve as a moment of sober reflection on the kind of leadership that has dominated Nigeria since its return to civilian rule.
“The real reflection for June 12 has to be how the people can liberate themselves from thugs and tropical gangsters masquerading as politicians, as their character flaws damage the prospects of the people of their countries,” he wrote.
He said the essence of June 12 lies in remembering that leadership matters and that bad leaders have dire consequences for national progress.
Utomi said the struggle of MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, was anchored on transforming governance across Africa.
He also drew parallels with the writings of PLO Lumumba, a Kenyan legal scholar, who often uses Nigeria as an example of failed governance when addressing African audiences.
“From inside, we hear it every day from people like PLO Lumumba who often shows off Nigeria’s failings when he compares with Qatar, as Nigerian elite in his audience grin sheepishly as if they do not realise it is about them he is speaking. But what he says is the truth,” Utomi noted.
Utomi announced that he would observe a three-minute silence at noon on June 12 in honour of pro-democracy heroes.
He listed Abiola, whom he described as a national hero, as well as Tunde Akinleye, former chairman of Ikoyi Club, and Ayo Adebanjo, elder statesman.