Renowned political economist and public affairs analyst, Professor Pat Utomi, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Democracy Day to reject individuals he described as “thugs masquerading as leaders.”
Speaking in a message to commemorate June 12, Utomi lamented the degradation of Nigeria’s democratic values, stating that the spirit of democracy has been undermined by the dominance of political actors with questionable ethics and no commitment to public service.
Utomi emphasized that true democracy thrives on accountability, justice, and leadership built on integrity, not brute force or manipulation of the electoral process. He urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to begin reclaiming the political space by engaging in issue-based politics and electing leaders with a proven track record of character and competence.
He also warned that unless the trend of enabling political “thuggery” is reversed, Nigeria risks further democratic backsliding.
As Nigeria marks 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since 1999, Utomi’s message echoes growing public concern over the erosion of democratic norms and institutions, calling for a national awakening and active citizenship to protect the country’s hard-earned freedoms.
