Prof Utomi and His Murky Years of Activism in Nigerian Political Landscape

 Prof Pat Utomi and His Murky Years of Activism in Nigerian Political Landscape

By Emeka Esogbue

As it appears, not many, not even in his Ibusa hometown in Delta State are aware of his practice of activism but indeed, Prof Pat Utomi does not only share the belief of an activist but has a long history of activism in his political journey. 

Prof Pat Utomi, a renowned Nigerian Professor of Political Economy and management expert highlights key moments in the nation's years of activism since his political involvement with his enlistment by Chief Alex Ekwueme, the nation's former Vice President to provide consultancy services on public policy papers. Brilliant Utomi would later rise to serve as Special Assistant to President Shehu Shagari. 

Beyond politics, Prof Pat Okedinachi Utomi is one of Nigeria's social crusaders whose contributions have had a significant impact on the country's civil society and political landscape. It is to his credit, that he has coordinated the establishment of several civil society groups in the country with the objective pursuit of good governance and accountability and some of these civil society groups include Transparency in Nigeria, aimed at enthroning good governance and accountability; Centre for Values and Leadership, aimed at providing leadership training and development programmes; Concerned Citizens, aimed at providing good governance with professionals as members; and Restoration Group, aimed at promoting good leadership. 

It is surprising that with the recent announcement of the shadow government in the country by the renowned agitator, many became ignorant of the noble role played by him in this endeavour whereas he has been vocal in his criticism of the Nigerian government policies and advocating for good governance and accountability since his involvement in politics. Prof Utomi is also known to speak out on issues of poverty, insecurity and corruption in the country and also widely published in these avenues. 

During the Abacha dark years, marked by one of the crudest acts of dictatorship in the country, Prof Pat Utomi stood against the military. Many will also remember how he chaired a pro-democracy conference in Ikeja, Lagos, organized by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), highlighting the need for democratic return which he believed would provide good governance and worthy leadership. 

Prof Pat Utomi with many others, courageously challenged the Abacha regime, despite the risk of arrest, detention and death but unfortunately, history seems short-lived or non-existent in the country where nearly everything becomes political, shifting reality to absurdity, the obvious to argumentation, certainty to uncertainty and the known to the unknown. Where politics challenges the facts, reality takes flight from even the intellectual minds. However, the history books are intact. 

Although Prof Pat Utomi is currently embroiled in a controversy with the nation's Department of State Security over his announced shadow government, a matter already in court, this piece may not share his shadow government belief but makes clear the fact that the renowned Professor is not new in activism. 

As a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and academia, he has been involved in several initiatives of activism. At least, many will remember the  Patitos Gang, a television programme which focused on discussing and advocating for good governance and accountability in the country hosted by Prof Pat Utomi. In any case, this piece only stands as a reminder to people who may not know this aspect of his personal or political history.

Emeka Esogbue, a historian and 2021 winner of the Enuani Achievers Writer of the Year Award, writes from Lagos