Professor Pat Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has raised an alarm over what he describes as a deliberate campaign of political exclusion in Nigeria.
Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, the political economist compared the current democratic environment to the military era of Sani Abacha. He alleged that the ruling party is working to sideline major opposition forces from the electoral process.
Utomi argued that key state institutions have been compromised to serve narrow political interests.
Furthermore, he claimed that the executive arm is systematically eroding the principles of fair competition.
“There is a deliberate attempt by the ruling party to exclude significant political opponents from the ballot box, utilising the capture of INEC and state institutions,” Utomi stated.
These developments point to a broader pattern of manipulation, a trend, he argued, is rapidly weakening public trust in the country’s democratic system.
INEC Labeled a Parastatal of the Ruling Party
The core of Utomi’s allegation rests on the perceived bias of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He claimed the body no longer functions as an impartial arbiter.
Specifically, he pointed to the commission’s recent speed in validating the Wike-aligned faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This move followed a controversial convention held in Abuja just days ago.
“INEC’s rush to validate the Wike-faction PDP convention is evidence that it functions as a parastatal of the APC,” Utomi alleged during the broadcast.
Horizontal information shows that the PDP has been embroiled in a leadership tussle between factions backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Tanimu Turaki.
INEC’s recognition of the former has sparked intense debate over judicial and administrative interference.
Utomi suggested that such institutional alignment is a survival tactic for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, the opposition remains fragmented by these internal crises.
Economic Hardship And The Misery Index
Beyond institutional capture, Utomi linked the political climate to the current economic reality. He argued that the ruling party is fearful of facing the electorate due to widespread suffering across the federation.
The “Misery Index“—a metric that combines inflation and unemployment rates—has reached critical levels in 2026. Consequently, Utomi believes the government is seeking to avoid a true test of popularity.
“The one thing the APC does not want to see is the people’s votes, given the high misery index it has imposed,” he observed.
He warned that the survival of the republic depends on the vigilance of its citizens. Furthermore, he noted that passive observation would only embolden those seeking to dismantle the democratic order.
“If the people do not rise to take their country back, democracy will come to an end,” the professor warned.
Utomi’s history as a co-founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) has long seen him advocate for institutional integrity.
He concluded by calling for a unified resistance against political exclusion.
Nevertheless, the question remains whether the fragmented opposition can consolidate in time for future electoral cycles.
Do you agree with Pat Utomi’s assessment that Nigeria’s current democratic institutions led by President Tinubu are becoming as restrictive as those seen during the military era of the 1990s? Share your views in the comments section.
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