Professor Pat Utomi has used Nigeria’s Democracy Day to urge for a deeper reflection on the country’s leadership, referring to some politicians as “thugs and tropical gangsters”.
Utomi expressed his ideas in a series of posts on Wednesday and Thursday via his X handle, emphasising the need for Nigerians to liberate themselves from politicians whose acts, he claimed, continue to impede the country’s development.
“The real reflection for June 12 has to be how the people can liberate themselves from thugs and tropical gangsters masquerading as politicians, as their character flaws damage the prospects of the people of their countries,” he wrote.
The late Chief MKO Abiola, whose cancelled 1993 election victory is generally considered a turning point in Nigeria’s political history, conducted a leadership fight that Utomi connected to the spirit of June 12.
“Engaging the leadership question in African politics is what drove Chief Abiola.
“So June 12 is perhaps the day to reflect on leadership,” Utomi stated.
The political economics professor also referenced Kenyan public intellectual PLO Lumumba, noting that Lumumba frequently points out Nigeria’s failings when compared with countries like Qatar, often to the discomfort of Nigerian elites.
“From inside, we hear it every day from people like PLO Lumumba, who often shows off Nigeria’s failings when he compares with Qatar, as Nigerian elites in his audience grin sheepishly as if they do not realise it is about them he is speaking. But what he says is the truth,” he added.
Utomi further disclosed that he would honour several significant figures connected to the democratic struggle by observing three minutes of quiet on June 12 at noon.
These include the late Chief MKO Abiola, whom he called a hero, as well as elder statesman Papa Ayo Adebanjo and former Ikoyi Club chairman Tunde Akinleye.
In addition, he cited development specialist Robert Klitgaard’s book “Tropical Gangsters”, arguing that the word accurately captures the character of political leadership in several African countries.
In observance of the 1993 elections, which are regarded as the most free and fair in Nigerian history, June 12 is formally celebrated as Democracy Day.
