Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has raised concerns over rising political intolerance in Nigeria. He warned that the country’s democracy is beginning to resemble the authoritarian rule of former military leader, General Sani Abacha.
Utomi made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise News Channel’s breakfast programmed. He pointed to what he described as a growing pattern of political exclusion.
According to him, those in power are making deliberate efforts to sideline opposition voices from the electoral process. He said this trend raises serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Everybody who is a trend watcher can see that there is a deliberate attempt by the ruling party to exclude significant political opponents from the ballot,” Utomi said.
He also accused key institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, of serving partisan interests. He argued that such actions weaken public trust in democratic structures.
Utomi added that he is ready to present detailed evidence to support his claims. He stressed that the current trajectory threatens core democratic values such as fairness, inclusiveness, and credible elections.
His comments come amid growing national debate over electoral transparency and institutional independence. With the 2027 general elections approaching, concerns about Nigeria’s democratic future continue to rise.
Government authorities have yet to respond to his claims. However, his remarks are expected to fuel further discussions on governance, political participation, and institutional accountability.
