Pat Utomi, a political economy professor, has declared his intention to no longer run for any government or political position in Nigeria.
Additionally, Utomi stated unequivocally that he would not accept any government contracts or appointments.
He made this statement on Friday in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said, “Let me state clearly: I will not run for public office, I will not accept an appointment, contract by any government in Nigeria. My only concern is the well-being of the next generation.
“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 explained the concept of a shadow government as a democratic means for people to unite and call for greater accountability from the government.
He further urged Nigerians to study the Afrobarometer, an annual survey that has been gathering views from African nations since 1999. He claimed it provides profound insights into the attitudes of the populace towards democracy.
“I usually pre-phase 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, Africans generally, in every country, with all kinds of details. I mean all kinds of details.
“I want all Nigerians and who really want to understand what has happened to our country to go and study the Afrobarometer readings,” he said.
Additionally, Utomi claimed that the data demonstrates that although Africans continue to believe in democracy, they are weary and disillusioned with its poor performance.
He thought that democracy in Nigeria and other African nations needed to be fixed.
“So, trying to make democracy a fine renewal or revival should be something that any true democrat should embrace.
“My expectation is that something like this will be hailed by the All Progressives Party, especially if you go back to the root of the APC,” he added.
Utomi also said that Nigeria’s democracy has lost its meaning and no longer focuses on serving the people.
“The point is that our democracy does not have meaning. The purpose of serving the people is lost. It’s about individual gain or power,” he added.
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