Political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day with a bold call for citizens to reflect on the country’s leadership, accusing many politicians of being nothing more than “thugs and tropical gangsters.”
In a series of posts on his X handle between Wednesday, June 11 and Thursday, June 12, Utomi criticised the character of some Nigerian leaders, saying their actions have repeatedly damaged the nation’s chances of real progress.
“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.
Utomi linked this year’s Democracy Day to the legacy of the late Chief MKO Abiola, whose annulled 1993 election remains a powerful symbol of the struggle for good leadership in Nigeria.
“Engaging the leadership question in African politics is what drove Chief Abiola,” Utomi noted. “So June 12 is perhaps the day to reflect on leadership.”
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He also referenced Kenyan scholar and public speaker PLO Lumumba, saying Lumumba often uses Nigeria as an example of failed leadership, sometimes to the discomfort of those in power.
“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 elite 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.
To honour the sacrifices of those who stood for democracy, Utomi said he would observe three minutes of silence at noon on June 12. He named Chief Abiola, whom he described as a hero, as well as Tunde Akinleye, a former Ikoyi Club chairman, and elder statesman Papa Ayo Adebanjo.
Utomi also referenced the book Tropical Gangsters by development expert Robert Klitgaard, suggesting it perfectly captures the kind of political leadership seen in parts of Africa.
June 12 is officially observed as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history.