Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu's administration, declaring that Nigeria is currently in a worse condition than it was during the military dictatorship of the late General Sani Abacha. Utomi made the remarks on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, during an interview on Nigeria Info 99.3FM, where he discussed the state of the nation and the recent concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). Comparing the current state of the country with the military era under Abacha, Utomi said Nigeria is now in a worse condition, blaming part of the challenge on the failure of the 1998 transition from military rule to civilian government. "I think we're in a worse condition than under Abacha. There's no doubt about it," he declared.
Utomi argued that the frustration expressed by Catholic leaders reflects a wider feeling among Nigerians, stressing that the Catholic Church follows a structured consultative process before taking positions on national issues. He explained that various bodies within the Church, including the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, contribute to discussions on public matters before issues are eventually considered at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria. "The bishops had a meeting before they went to see the president. The speech delivered by Cardinal John Onaiyekan generally reflects the collective concerns of the bishops, although individual members may still hold personal opinions," Utomi said. The professor, who said he had worked with the Catholic Bishops' Conference for many years, also criticised what he described as the loss of truth and shared values in Nigerian public life. He said Nigeria's political class had "managed to pollute culture so much that people can't speak truth anymore," because many people now judge issues based on political loyalty.
Utomi blamed part of Nigeria's current problems on what happened when the military began handing power back to civilians in 1998. He said many traditional politicians who understood politics as service to the common good failed to return to the political arena, while professionals who had fought military rule also decided to stay away from politics. "The real politicians did not come back," he said. "And the bad men of the military moved in. And Nigeria has not managed to survive it now." The former presidential candidate argued that the failure to build a culture of integrity had damaged the country, while excessive focus on money had also weakened Nigerians' sense of responsibility. He argued that society should value the production, hard work, and jobs that create wealth rather than simply celebrating money, regardless of how it was obtained.
Utomi's comments come amid growing criticism from opposition figures, civil society organisations and religious leaders over the rising cost of living, insecurity and economic hardship across the country. The Catholic Bishops had, during a recent engagement with President Tinubu, expressed concerns over the nation's economic difficulties, insecurity and governance challenges, urging the Federal Government to take urgent steps to restore public confidence and improve citizens' welfare. The Presidency has repeatedly defended its economic reforms, insisting that the current hardships are temporary and necessary to reposition the economy for sustainable growth. However, Utomi's comparison of the Tinubu era to the Abacha years—a period widely remembered for its brutal repression and human rights abuses—represents one of the most damning indictments of the current administration by a respected public intellectual. His assertion that Nigeria is now in a worse condition than under Abacha is likely to fuel further debate about the direction of the country and the effectiveness of the government's policies, as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments