Pat Utomi: Nigeria of Today Worse Than Abacha Era

Professor Pat Utomi says Nigeria is now in a worse condition than it was under the late military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Utomi made the assessment while discussing the state of the nation and recent comments by Catholic bishops on Nigeria’s political and economic situation on Nigeria Info 99.3FM.

He said the frustration expressed by Catholic leaders reflects a wider feeling among Nigerians, adding that the Catholic Church has a process through which such views are developed.

According to him, groups within the church, including the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, contribute to discussions on public issues before views eventually come together at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

“The bishops had had a meeting before they went to see the president,” Utomi said, adding that the speech presented by Cardinal John Onaiyekan would generally reflect the collective views of the bishops, even though individuals may have their own perspectives.

Utomi, who said he had worked with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for many years, also criticised what he described as the loss of truth and shared values in Nigerian public life.

He said Nigeria’s political class had “managed to pollute culture so much that people can’t speak truth anymore,” because many people now judge issues based on political loyalty.

Comparing the current situation with the Abacha years, Utomi said, “I think we're in a worse condition than under Abacha.

"There's no doubt about it.”

He blamed part of Nigeria’s current problems on what happened when the military began handing power back to civilians in 1998.

Utomi said many traditional politicians who understood politics as service to the common good failed to return to the political arena, while professionals who had fought military rule also decided to stay away from politics.

“The real politicians did not come back,” he said.

“And the bad men of the military moved in.

"And Nigeria has not managed to survive it now.”

Utomi said the failure to build a culture of integrity had damaged the country, while excessive focus on money had also weakened Nigerians’ sense of responsibility.

He argued that society should value the production, hard work, and jobs that create wealth rather than simply celebrating money, regardless of how it was obtained.