Professor Pat Utomi, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the ADC Manifesto and Policy Committee, has stated that individuals in positions of power are actively obstructing the complete realization of democratic principles in Nigeria. He issued a warning that this trend is diminishing public faith in democracy and stressed the imperative need for prompt actions to safeguard the country.
In a recent interview with ARISE NEWS, Professor Utomi observed that while Africans generally desire democracy, those who attain power on the continent often prevent its genuine practice. He expressed that this situation is causing the populace to lose hope in democratic systems, emphasizing the critical need to rescue the nation from this trajectory.
Addressing inquiries regarding a legal challenge to the party's leadership, Professor Utomi asserted that any court decision adverse to the current leadership would not undermine the outcomes of the convention. He explained that according to the established rules and the constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), provided it receives proper notification, lacks the authority to intervene. While INEC might choose not to be present, this non-attendance does not impact internal party proceedings. The commission's duty, he clarified, is to include candidates who emerge from such leadership processes on the ballot, with collective commitment being the ultimate factor.
Professor Utomi further elaborated that internal party conflicts are frequently instigated by external influences. He cautioned that a deficiency in political civility creates fertile ground for such interferences to destabilize party structures.
"First and foremost, as with the Labour Party, PDP, and now with the ADC, some unseen hands—or probably quite seen, but not trying to be who they are—are trying to disrupt these parties. In all political parties, you’re going to have the good, the bad, and the ugly—people who are just scoundrels who drift in and are willing tools. So, if there is a determined effort from outside, if there isn’t a political culture of civility that recognizes that this is the proper way to act in the public sphere, then it is easy to find those willing tools and use them to cause irritations within the system," he warned.
He added that the Nigerian populace is experiencing profound dissatisfaction with the present circumstances and widely yearns for change. He argued that this widespread public discontent fuels a strong demand for alternative political choices.
"The purpose of government is the well-being of the people. Nigerian people are at the very worst they’ve ever been, and so they want something to replace what is there now. There is no question about that. You go to any street corner in Nigeria, they’ll tell you they’ve had it up to here. So, that is one starting point."
Regarding the internal disagreements within the ADC, Professor Utomi stated that these challenges would not lead to the party's dissolution. Instead, he believes they are serving to strengthen the party by compelling its members to prioritize national interests over personal ambitions.
"There’s no crisis that can lead to collapse. In fact, these so-called tests are strengthening the party. Those who thought. So, it’s actually strengthening the party. You’re getting these so-called ‘big men’ to begin to rein in their egos because what is at stake is much, much larger," he stated.
When questioned about who might emerge as the ADC's most formidable candidate, Professor Utomi indicated that the selection process is open and not contingent on a single dominant figure.
"We need to have a very broad field, and there’s no problem with that. But what is really interesting is it’s a process. People think that this ADC just jumped from the sky. No, I have been attending meetings that have taken place in Europe, in Africa, and all of that, building up to what you see today. It didn’t just happen. It was a systematic process of building. And one of the things we agreed from the very beginning—I can say publicly here, at a meeting in Barcelona more than a year ago—was we’re not going to have a ‘boss’ of government, this ‘strongman president.’ No, it’s going to be collective responsibility. All of us are holding each other accountable now to make sure that governance is people-centered. It’s about the people of Nigeria, not about a privileged group that has been having fun while the Nigerian people writhe," he explained.
He reiterated that concerted efforts are being made to avert divisions, expressing optimism about the members' dedication to the national good. He acknowledged, however, that a few individuals might still depart due to disagreements.
"We’re going to do our damnedest best to make sure that doesn’t happen. And there are good signs to suggest that it will not matter. But if some people, driven by their egos, choose to walk away from something, you can’t stop that. That’s a natural thing. But I think there is enough sensitivity to the duty to the Nigerian people among these people. I’ve interacted with them, and I know that there are many who are willing to sheathe their swords," he revealed.
Professor Utomi expressed confidence in the ADC's readiness for immediate political engagement, citing its comprehensive policy platform as evidence.
"I can assure you that the ADC is ready for right now, not even 2027. I wish we could spend an hour on the policy platform or plank of the ADC that has been put together."
He further detailed that the ADC's policy agenda prioritizes job creation, security, and sound governance, with a particular focus on empowering the youth and reforming the education sector.
"It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs. Powering these processes, security, and integrity in governance. The ADC recognizes that its essence is future- proofing the youth of Nigeria, to get young people with talent to be able to do the things that will ensure that they’ll have a higher quality of life from production.
“So we take the factor endowment of all of those parts of Nigeria, ensure that the value chain is properly developed, ensure that the quality of education the young people are getting is such that will make them competitive globally on those value chains from all parts of Nigeria. Inclusion and balanced development is central. We don’t want a situation where there are some people outside the house looking in," he emphasised.
Discussing Nigeria's economic trajectory, he commented that mere stabilization is insufficient, noting the failure of past policies to foster growth.
"They don’t understand the problem. They’re saying that before you get high economic growth, you’ve got to stabilize. It is not true because we said the same thing in 1987 and we never got high economic growth because high economic growth doesn’t just happen. We must say to ourselves, look, the purpose of stabilization usually is to benefit a few at the top and their external partners that they want to pay off their debts," he noted.
Sharing more details about the ADC's manifesto, the Deputy Chairman of its Manifesto and Policy Committee highlighted that it centers on production- driven growth, job creation, and inclusivity.
"Absolutely, that is the manifesto base. Even more interestingly, I’ve worked with this team of technocrats who are translating these ideas coming from us. We can actually get a system that works. So it’s plausible that we can very easily translate all these great ideas into implementable policies that lead to rapid growth. Go back to China, go back to what happened in 1978 when the new leader of China, Deng Xiaoping, spoke: ‘We must ensure that our people recognize the value of knowledge, of education,’ and how this is the rest of history," Professor Utomi concluded.
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