By Seyi Odewale
Political Economist, Prof Pat Utomi has declared that Nigeria is experiencing a deeper national crisis today than it did under the military government of the late General Sani Abacha.
He blamed the country’s political leadership for what he described as the erosion of truth, values and responsible governance.
Speaking during an interview on Nigeria Info 99.3FM, the political economist reflected on the country’s political and economic situation while reacting to the recent audience granted the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu.
Utomi argued that the concerns raised by the bishops should not be dismissed as isolated opinions, insisting they represent the collective assessment of a respected institution that follows an established consultative process before taking positions on national matters.
According to him, bodies such as the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) examine issues affecting the country before recommendations are harmonised and adopted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
He explained that Cardinal John Onaiyekan merely presented a position that had already been agreed upon by the bishops.
“The bishops had met before they saw the President. What Cardinal Onaiyekan presented reflected the collective position of the conference, although individuals may naturally hold different personal views,” Utomi said.
Drawing from years of working with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Utomi lamented what he described as the disappearance of honesty from Nigeria’s public space, arguing that political loyalty has replaced objective reasoning in national discourse.
He said many Nigerians now judge issues based on partisan interests rather than facts, making it increasingly difficult for people to speak openly about the country’s challenges.
“Our political class has polluted the culture to the point where people can no longer speak the truth because everything is interpreted through political loyalty,” he stated.
Comparing the country’s present condition with the military era, Utomi maintained that Nigeria’s democratic experience has failed to deliver the expected progress.
“I think we’re in a worse condition than under Abacha. There’s no doubt about it,” he declared.
He attributed part of the country’s decline to developments that followed the transition from military to civilian rule in 1998, arguing that many experienced politicians who viewed politics as public service chose not to return to active politics.
According to him, many professionals and pro-democracy activists who resisted military rule equally stayed away from governance after democracy was restored, leaving the political space to people who lacked the same commitment to nation-building.
“The real politicians did not come back. The bad men of the military moved in, and Nigeria has not managed to survive it,” he said.
Utomi also argued that Nigeria’s leadership crisis has been compounded by the collapse of ethical standards and a growing obsession with wealth, regardless of how it is acquired.
Rather than celebrating enterprise, innovation and productivity, he said society now places greater value on money itself, a development he believes has weakened accountability and discouraged genuine wealth creation.
He maintained that sustainable national development can only be achieved when hard work, productive investment and job creation become the values that society rewards instead of merely celebrating financial success.
According to Utomi, rebuilding integrity in public life and restoring a culture of service remain essential if Nigeria is to reverse its current trajectory and regain the confidence of its citizens.
