Speaking with characteristic frankness, Utomi argued that his decades-long involvement in national policy debates, political reform movements, and international engagements had uniquely positioned him for the task of leading Africa’s most populous nation at a time of unprecedented challenges
The contest for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election is gaining fresh momentum following bold comments by renowned political economist, academic and party chieftain, Professor Pat Utomi.
In a candid television interview, Utomi declared that he is better prepared to lead Nigeria than President Bola Tinubu and prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
Utomi made the assertion on Sunday, January 18, during an appearance on Politics Today, a flagship political programme aired on Channels Television. During the interview, the respected public intellectual reflected on his long political journey, the state of Nigeria’s democracy, ongoing opposition coalition talks, and what he described as a deepening crisis of governance in the country.
Speaking with characteristic frankness, Utomi argued that his decades-long involvement in national policy debates, political reform movements, and international engagements had uniquely positioned him for the task of leading Africa’s most populous nation at a time of unprecedented challenges.
“Has it ever occurred to you that I am more qualified than all of them — Atiku, Obi, including Bola Tinubu — in terms of preparation to lead Nigeria?” Utomi asked rhetorically during the programme. “To be totally honest, I have never left the ADC since 2007.”
The statement has since generated widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political space, with supporters applauding Utomi’s confidence and critics describing his remarks as audacious in a political environment dominated by well-known heavyweights.
Utomi, a professor of political economy and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), has long been regarded as one of Nigeria’s most vocal advocates for good governance, ethical leadership and institutional reform. Over the years, he has served as an adviser to governments, multinational corporations and civil society organisations, while also participating actively in partisan politics.
His latest declaration signals a renewed push to secure the ADC’s presidential ticket as discussions intensify around opposition strategies ahead of the 2027 polls. While the ADC remains a relatively smaller political platform compared to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Utomi believes the party’s ideological foundation and reformist outlook give it a strong moral advantage.
Central to Utomi’s argument is his long-standing loyalty to the ADC. According to him, consistency and commitment to party ideals are critical qualities lacking in Nigeria’s political culture, where defections and opportunistic alliances are common.
“I have never left the ADC since 2007,” he reiterated, stressing that his decision to remain with the party through difficult periods demonstrated conviction rather than political convenience.
The professor also used the opportunity to revisit the ADC’s early efforts at building a broad-based political coalition following the 2007 general elections. He recalled how the party, at the time, sought to bring together diverse political actors in a bid to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape and challenge entrenched interests.
“We went around trying to find people to come together after the 2007 run of the ADC,” Utomi said. “At one point, that effort included both the incumbent Tinubu and most of the people in the ADC today — the good, the bad and the ugly.”
According to Utomi, many of the individuals involved in those early coalition talks are now scattered across different political camps, including the ruling APC. Despite the fragmentation, he maintained that inclusive political engagement remains the only viable path to national progress.
“If we are going to make progress, it is important to bring everybody into the house,” he added, emphasising the need for dialogue, consensus-building and national cohesion.
Beyond the politics of personalities, Utomi painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current state, pointing to economic hardship, institutional decay and declining public trust in governance. He argued that the country’s challenges require more than charisma or electoral popularity, but rather deep intellectual preparation, moral clarity and a clear understanding of how societies develop.
Although he did not go into detailed policy proposals during the interview, Utomi’s long-held positions on economic restructuring, value-based leadership, decentralisation and social investment are well documented. He has consistently argued that Nigeria’s development crisis is rooted in leadership failure and the erosion of shared national values.
His comments comparing himself to Tinubu, Atiku and Obi are likely to shape the tone of political debates within the ADC and beyond. Atiku Abubakar, a perennial presidential contender, brings decades of political experience and a vast political network. Peter Obi, on the other hand, has emerged as a symbol of youth-driven political awakening and fiscal prudence for many Nigerians. President Tinubu, the incumbent, wields the power of incumbency and a formidable party structure.
Utomi’s assertion that he is “better prepared” than all of them suggests that he intends to frame the 2027 contest around competence, preparation and values, rather than political machinery alone.
Political analysts say the coming months will reveal whether the ADC can leverage Utomi’s intellectual clout and reformist credentials to build momentum, either as a standalone platform or as part of a broader opposition coalition. Talks of alliances among opposition parties have intensified in recent weeks, fuelled by widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s economic situation and governance challenges.
For Utomi, however, the journey appears as much about principle as it is about power. His comments reflect a belief that Nigeria stands at a crossroads and that only leaders with a deep understanding of history, economics and human development can steer the nation away from crisis.
As the 2027 race gradually takes shape, Utomi’s declaration has ensured that his name will remain part of the national conversation — not just as a critic of the system, but as a contender seeking to lead it. Whether his confidence will translate into widespread political support within the ADC and across the country remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle for Nigeria’s future has begun in earnest