The high fives acknowledge the new size of
APC as the New PDP merges with it. Some
already calculate that the merger makes the
APC the larger party in Nigeria and as such
the largest party in Africa. As a member of the
APC I am naturally thrilled that size is making
the playing field more level, but I am conscious
that it is about much more than size. It is
about how you govern well and provide the
people a better option. What does that mean
for the evolution of the APC.
One of the things I am familiar with, as an
APC insider, is the strenuous efforts being
made to take the Party beyond a machine for
votes into a disciplined, ideas-driven ideological
platform for offering a different track, a new
way to the people of Nigeria. I see this in
efforts to develop a new party plank, new
manifesto and the conversations about how to
ensure that all learn to be loyal, not to
individuals, as is the tradition in more recent
Nigerian politics, but to a body of ideas and a
way of relating to the people.
What thrills me the most of the ongoing
internal dynamics is that of the three different
working groups I am associated with inside the
party is growing consensus, in each that the
ideals of Social Democratic ethos be the
anchor. A peoples oriented direction in which
the clearly identified best interest of the
common man is the essence of public policy and
the direction of governance seems to be
crystallizing so subtly but surely. As that
general disposition of leadership conversation
has been pleasing, I have continued to
challenge compatriots for a personal
commitment reflection and affirmation of a
new way from the Party’s leadership elite,
beyond talk. The pleasant surprise is that
thrust is being well received. Also
heartwarming is the intellectual back room of
the party, a matter on which I have been
critical of recent political parties which have
seemed anti- intellectual, compared to parties
elsewhere, and the parties of 1960s Nigeria.
There are a number of norms about how we
govern, that is disconcerting that needs to be
re-examined and jettisoned. Two of them I am
most concerned with, are the cost of the
burden of the personal comfort of the people in
power, and the cost of the process of governing
in general. I have been of the view for some
time that we should survey the average of cost
of governing to revenues; to GDP; and to the
quality of life of the people. From this we
should set for ourselves a ratio that should be
one of the lowest of cost for governing in the
world. Our current ratios must approximate
one of the worst in the world. We must set the
example that public life is about self sacrifice
in service and develop a code for the simple
life in public office.

When last did you see a Governor or cabinet
minister on a commercial flight? To spend the
amounts some states spend on managing their
fleet of aircraft or chattering for the
convenience of a few, in country where the
quality of life, projects a misery index that
mares the country as close to Hell as you can
on planet earth, it is a moral crises that we
spend so much on executive travel convenience.
Private wealth used to buy Private Jets is
another level of moral question but to deplete
the commonwealth so the governor can jet into
Abuja and events elsewhere is matter for party
debate. Our strategy as a political party, I have
argued, should be, if we were a company, to be
seen as a low cost strategy company. A good
example of that, in practice, is the furniture
maker, Ikea. It is not a poor company but its
strategy is a low cost strategy. Staying faithful
to strategy, its six foot plus chief executive
traveled hundreds of thousands of miles every
year, in economy class. I am not suggesting
that our Governors travel economy, but
Business class should be the top limit, and
most public servants should go economy on
state business. The reason British Airways
treats Nigerians so badly and is one of the most
customer unfriendly airlines in the world, is
because Nigerian government officials never
stay home, and spend insane amounts of public
money flying BA First Class. That is truly a sin
that cries to Heaven for forgiveness.
Overall I am pleased at the kind of
conversation going on in leadership circles.
APC is looking at a new manifesto emphasizing
free primary education with free feeding of the
pupils, an aggressive anti-corruption stance
that begins with making corruption more
difficult and then goes on to make example of
those who beat the system. This is why it is
important that the leaders look themselves in
the mirror and see a new beginning. APC
cannot afford to be another PDP in new
clothing. The people are fed up with the
Hunter-conqueror mindset that sees the people
as a defeated people and the commonwealth as
war booty.

I personally cannot wait to see the new peoples
manifesto of the APC with its emphasis on the
basic needs of the people driving a high growth
economy that aim to have predominantly
middle class society rather than the current
situation where our airports are now inadequate
to park the private jets of a few largely
unproductive people who have access to
political power. That they now park their
aircraft in neighboring countries as our
overcrowded private terminals yearn for
expansion is not a statement about wealth but
an emblem to our poverty of mind. The Gini
index which measures income distribution
between the top and the bottom of our society
is already an advertisement for the coming
anarchy which the APC must work to arrest.
Not to offer a clear alternative to way things
are would be to fail to do the needful to stave
off the looming revolution. I am glad that is so
clear to the APC Chairman Chief Bisi Akande
who lived a good example of the simple life as
Governor and was do acknowledged and
celebrated by my group, the concerned
Professionals back then. PU

Is PU talking about Amaechi

When did Utomi become an APC member?

Delta state is seeking a gov. from the Northern senatorial zone. Big mouth Utomi, please come and provide leadership, if you can.

While the Tinubus of this world may help do the dirty job for APC,the likes of Utomi,Keyamo,Fashola,Okorocha,Oshiomhole,Kwakwanso,Yari,Izunaso can be the intellectual thinkthank and policy wizards of APC

Pound for pound,I can't see any sociopolitical analyst besting Prof Pat Utomi when it comes to articulating sound and robust economic policies from the land of the tattered 'umblerra'

Pls prof,what is Al-Mukara of Nassarawa state manifesto ?How many APC states have brought the desire change to their people?Prof,you where the chairman of BankPHB and under your nose it was plundered.If you cannot lead a Bank,am worried you are a failure who should hide his face in shame rather than educate us on APC manifesto.I can only listen to People like Fashola who is the one person in this County that. Can bring the desire change.You are not different from Tinubu,El-Rufal ,Buhari and co whose only objective is to take us backward.

sagombugo: While the Tinubus of this world may help do the dirty job for APC,the likes of Utomi,Keyamo,Fashola,Okorocha,Oshiomhole,Kwakwanso,Yari,Izunaso can be the intellectual thinkthank and policy wizards of APC

Pound for pound,I can't see any sociopolitical analyst besting Prof Pat Utomi when it comes to articulating sound and robust economic policies from the land of the tattered 'umblerra'

Utomi will be in front of the press blowing grammar while Tinubu and co will be behind the scenes chopping money.

teskyg: Pls prof,what is Al-Mukara of Nassarawa state manifesto ?How many APC states have brought the desire change to their people?Prof,you where the chairman of BankPHB and under your nose it was plundered.If you cannot lead a Bank,am worried you are a failure who should hide his face in shame rather than educate us on APC manifesto.I can only listen to People like Fashola who is the one person in this County that. Can bring the desire change.You are not different from Tinubu,El-Rufal ,Buhari and co whose only objective is to take us backward.

Apc have a lot of big guns even fola adeolu of gtb

Afam4eva: When did Utomi become an APC member?

Afam u wake up, u ar one person i facinate in nl b4 especialy considering som beatiful post u've made in d past bt of rescent u hav shown much bias and ignoranc dat get me amaze.

All I have to say is never underestimate the power of incumbent, I am too sure APC won't win Rivers state sha come 2015