Renowned political scientist Pat Utomi has asserted that individuals aged 70 and above ought not to occupy the office of the President of Nigeria. The prominent public intellectual argued that excluding septuagenarians from the nation's highest office would significantly curtail the heavy financial drain associated with overseas medical trips.
Sharing his perspective via his verified social media account on X, Utomi maintained that elderly leaders often lack the physical stamina required for the rigorous demands of governance. He noted that while such candidates frequently claim that intellectual capacity outweighs physical vigor, advanced age often necessitates frequent foreign medical interventions at public expense.
What did Pat Utomi say about the presidency?
Utomi specifically emphasized the economic implications of electing older leaders, highlighting the substantial public funds expended on medical tourism in Europe. He pointed out that Nigeria would retain vital financial resources if the electorate consistently rejected presidential hopefuls who have attained the age of 70.
"Men who are 70 and above have no business holding the most important seat in Nigeria which is the presidency," Utomi stated on the platform. He added, "They will try to convince you that all you need is a good brain, not physical strength. But you may never understand how much of our resources could be saved if we had a president who didn't have to fly back and forth to Europe for medical reasons."
Can Peter Obi end corruption in Nigeria?
Transitioning to the broader political landscape, Utomi expressed strong confidence in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential hopeful, Peter Obi. He assured citizens that an Obi presidency would decisively tackle public sector corruption and restore fiscal integrity.
Addressing historical financial scandals involving missing public funds, Utomi used metaphorical references to ridicule past infractions. He promised that bizarre explanations for missing state resources would cease under a transparent administration.
"When Peter Obi wins, funny stories about snakes swallowing billions of naira in public funds in government offices will become a thing of the past," Utomi remarked. He concluded with a direct appeal to the electorate: "He will ensure that both the person telling such a lie and the snake will be held accountable. Vote wisely, my people."