Renowned political economist and public affairs analyst, Pat Utomi has strongly criticised Nigeria’s media and political leadership over what he described as deliberate efforts to undermine credible elections, warning that the country risks deeper instability if electoral integrity continues to be compromised.
Speaking during a public engagement on electoral reforms, Utomi rejected narratives suggesting that only certain groups are pushing for credible elections, insisting that free and fair polls are the collective right and duty of all Nigerians.
According to him, attempts to frame election advocacy as the agenda of “disgruntled” individuals are misleading and harmful.
“The Nigerian people want credible elections. Every citizen has a right and a duty to demand dignity for this country,” Utomi said, adding that such media narratives merely reinforce myths designed to protect those in power.
He accused sections of the media of contributing to the problem by legitimising false narratives and warned journalists against becoming complicit in weakening democratic processes.
Utomi, who said he teaches journalism, described such framing as professionally unacceptable, stressing that Nigeria’s poor global reputation over elections has become a source of embarrassment internationally.
“Nigeria has become a joke when it comes to elections,” he said, noting that global leaders openly ridicule the country’s electoral process.
The former presidential candidate also called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to immediately prosecute leaders of the National Assembly, whom he accused of deliberately obstructing electoral reforms in order to enable rigging.
He alleged that some lawmakers were acting against the will of Nigerians and described their actions as tantamount to a “coup against the people.”
Utomi further expressed concern over the declining credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary, warning that the erosion of trust in the courts threatens the very foundation of the rule of law.
He urged the Nigerian Bar Association to begin investigations aimed at delisting judges and lawyers found to have compromised judicial integrity.
Speaking further, Utomi called for stronger international accountability mechanisms, advocating for global action against leaders who abuse power and impoverish their citizens.
He argued that weak institutions in developing countries make oversight necessary and reiterated his long-standing support for international courts to try political leaders involved in corruption and human rights abuses.
“There is no consequence management in Nigeria, and that is why bad behaviour thrives,” he said, calling for the establishment of international panels to investigate past misconduct and prosecute offenders, regardless of how long ago the offences occurred.
Utomi warned that continued injustice and institutional decay could provoke popular uprisings, stressing that journalists, judges and political actors would all bear responsibility if Nigeria descends further into crisis.
“This is the challenge we have,” he stated.
