Political calculations are already ongoing ahead of the 2027 general elections three years away.

There are reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) are planning to form a formidable party that will sack the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In this exclusive interview on Channels Television, a political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, confirms that the parties’ candidates in the 2023 presidential poll have agreed to form a mega party. He also speaks on talks that led to the creation of the APC in 2014 as well as his relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

See excerpts below:

Give us an idea. Are you planning a merger or a brand new political party?

It’s a really clean start. You have to start from the premise that Nigeria has not had a political party since 1999. And let’s be very honest with ourselves. What we have managed is to create platforms that enable machine politics from which to grab power, usually for the purpose of state capture. If you will want to test that, check how much the quality of life of a Nigerian has improved since 1999.

It’s frightening but the truth is a matter that in 1999, a political class managed to build a certain coalition of accommodation to keep the military out and share the spoils of power in Nigeria and somehow did not manage to create an alignment with the Nigerian people to improve the quality of their lives. This is why you can see Nigeria deteriorating, becoming the poverty capital of the world, becoming the centre of widespread violence everywhere. And if you want to take some clear examples, I want anybody who is a political scientist, or economist in Nigeria to look at where India was in 1999 and where Nigeria was in terms of mood, violence in politics, the quality of life of people and where they both are today in Nigeria versus India.

In 1991, India was technically bankrupt. Foreign Reserves could not accommodate more than three weeks of trading. What has happened since 1999 is that India’s politics has managed to focus on the rational engagement of a developmental state.

If you look at the numbers today, India is now speeding past the so-called miracle economies of South-East Asia. Nigeria, on the other hand, has been traveling in the reverse direction. What better explanation can there be than the fact that Nigeria has not managed to organise the structures for political participation that can focus on the Nigerian people and lift their lives?

So, a political party is a vehicle to bring onboard those who will govern the nation.

Absolutely the point, political party is a vehicle for doing that.

In that living room where you are, just some metres away, that was where you and some of your friends cooked up the APC. What went wrong? Isn’t this what you planned? Can Nigerians trust this process that you are going through again, Prof?

Some people will say Prof Pat Utomi is talking theory, absolute nonsense. They don’t understand what theory means. Let them check my background. At age 21 in this country, Atedo Peterside and I, form the new breed organisation, created the first business finance magazine in this country.

In my early twenties, I was appointed editor of one of the most influential news magazines in this country. And even when I was abroad, I managed it from outside the country. I have been an executive and a manager in a multinational company because I have some academic titles. People who have done nothing in their lives but just throw out innuendoes against people say you are talking theory. Now, let me show you very clearly why I have walked away from arrangements that have not served the Nigerian people.

It emerges by iteration. You try this, but it doesn’t work, you go on to something that will work. So long as you are focused, you know that why you are there is something to do that will serve the best interest of the majority of the people.

So why did APC not work according to your plan? What happened, from your description, it doesn’t look like APC worked according to your plan.

Simple, they didn’t want it to work.

Who are these people?

The people who captured the states, the Buhari government did not want the states to work.

You supported Peter Obi and the Labour Party in 2023. One would have thought that, oh those ideas that you have, you wanted to infuse it into the Labour Party, that also failed. Did the same thing also happen to the Labour Party?

You can’t make that statement. It didn’t fail, even though it was a hurry-up offence as they would say in basketball in America. Just let’s get this thing to show this system.

That’s why I want to calm down now, design and put in place a real political party with clear ideas of how you become part of it, what you will do in it and therefore you accept to do it or not to do before you come into it, where there will be a clear agenda – a party plan that the day you arrive in office, everybody from Perm Sec to level eight officer knows what they must do every day to move Nigeria to a certain level. If you don’t do it, you get fired.

So, this business of just arriving and looking for how much money to transfer to your account, to transfer to that person’s account will not be there because you are very busy implementing something that everybody has agreed with (and) talked about in the public space and civil society is holding you accountable, the media is holding you accountable and the whole of society knows what you will do next month.

If you don’t do it, somebody will ask why not? Not to get there and begin to try to enjoy yourself and just generate hubris, pure hubris. That’s not how to govern a people who are dying.

Are you hoping that Peter Obi, for example, will be the presidential candidate of this new party you are forming?

No, no, we’re not talking about candidates now. We’re talking about what the party will look like, the values that the party will stand for, the policies that the party will stand for, a national strategy.

Now, I give you a small example. In South Africa up to one level of the ANC, they have conversations about public policy, and all these flow back and they can ask whoever is president of South Africa questions based on that. Who in the APC has an idea what APC is doing, even as one of those who founded it, one of those who wrote the road map and all of that? I wrote more than 10 letters to the Chairmen of APC, I never got one single reply, not one reply.

And so the APC was just a concoction, a private enterprise of a few people that was justified with the people who they got to run around and the object was simple – state capture. So Nigeria needs a political party, not all of these things.

I know you are a very good friend of Bola Tinubu. Your friendship with Bola Tinubu I guess has always been issue of ideas that you’ve had together and you know, the camaraderie that you’ve shared before now is also about ideas. Can Nigerians look forward to those ideas ahead of 2027 when that competition will come up?

I’m not even thinking of 2027. That’s what I’m saying, Nigeria has become a circus of elections. Let’s leave elections for now. Let’s look at how our country can be made to work for everybody. And let’s create a political party that can bring the issues to the fore for all the Nigerian people to have the kind of consensus on how to solve problems. If we have that consensus, we will find Nigerians who can provide leadership positions and the provision of those positions will not be about what they get for themselves because this narcissism is a cancer that is tearing Nigerian politics down.

What we need are people who sacrificially give up themselves to build a great country with their possible reward being immortality. When I talked to several of the presidential candidates in the last run about this track we are travelling. Yes, I’ve had conversations with Atiku Abubakar, I’ve had conversations with Engineer Rabiu Kwankwaso, I have had conversations with Peter Gregory Obi and the people like Ralph Okey Nwosu of ADC are some of those that would probably constitute some of the base. And I’ve said to them, it’s not about you. It’s about Nigeria, it’s about the ordinary person in this state. It’s about really truly moving from this business of sharing trickles from oil sales to how we can become one of the most productive economies because our (natural) endowments allow that but our politics has not allowed Nigerian people to produce. Politicians just go there to grab, grab, grab.

They don’t even have the discipline to sit down and plan how Nigeria can produce its way out of poverty and everybody can be happy. Look at how it is happening in India. As you know, I have very good relations with India. There are friends of mine in India who are struggling to get me to come and sit in India for a few months in the university and do this, do that. But I just feel so what’s wrong with the Nigerian elite? Why are we satisfied with nothing? And then they will try and rationalize it by saying now I’m talking theory, what nonsense, what nonsense, how many of them have had the kind of jobs that I have had as an executive, as a manager, as an entrepreneur? And you say I’m talking theory. Do you know that there is no practice, that makes sense without theory?

The idea of this new political party sounds like a merger because you said you have had talks with Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, Okey Nwosu and the rest. They have agreed to come together, isn’t it?

Yes.

What name have you decided to call it?

We’re not talking about names yet. Besides these politicians, I mentioned, I’m talking about leaders of social movements, leaders of social movements, the labour movement and so on and so forth.

I have even been part of creating a new tribe, Nigerians who are committed to certain values who say I will not give a bribe, I will not take a bribe. And you can then create a set of values that can lead to progress in the country.

The way we are today, a few people in the world are willing to engage with Nigeria because they think there’s a collapse of culture, the values in Nigeria. You can’t trust Nigerians, all kinds of things are here.

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/01/14/2027-polls-atiku-obi-kwankwaso-have-agreed-to-form-merger-party-utomi/

Good news.... At least Let's see if things could change from this evil of a party called APC. Very inept, creating difficulties here and there, almost in every aspect of life. I never see.

Not sure of the news though, Kwankwaso, almost debunk this 2 days ago.

Finally!

Peter finally overtook Atiku in political prostitution. A record has been made.

APGA-PDP-LP-PDP

He will be back to tell us that, PDP shares same values and vision with his candidacy.

AllenSpencer:


Finally!

Peter finally overtook Atiku in political prostitution. A record has been made.

APGA-PDP-LP-PDP

Your god Tinubu moved from

SDP to AD to ACN to APC.

I know you're a kid to know this. I am waiting for you to give your gods prostitution another name like metamorphosis, transfer, merger, mitosis, blah blah.

Nonny95:


Your god Tinubu moved from

SDP to AD to ACN to APC

Lies!

Transformation is different from prostitution!

AD-ACN-APC have all been same people.

AllenSpencer:


Lies!

Transformation is different from prostitution!

AD-ACN-APC have all been same people.

I talk say you go give am another name and you no fail. 😂😂

Clown

Nonny95:


Your god Tinubu moved from

SDP to AD to ACN to APC.

I know you're a kid to know this. I am waiting for you to give your gods prostitution another name like metamorphosis, transfer, merger blah blah.

Now, you trying hard to cover-up Peter`s prostitution

Call a spade a spade! You should know a prostitute when you see one!

AllenSpencer:


Now, you trying hard to cover-up Peter`s prostitution

Call a spade a spade! You should know a prostitute when you see one!

Atleast you now have knowledge of your own daddy's escapades and will learn to comport henceforth.

When am I getting a thank you for that free Lecture?

AllenSpencer:


Finally!

Peter finally overtook Atiku in political prostitution. A record has been made.

APGA-PDP-LP-PDP

He will be back to tell us that, PDP shares same values and vision with his candidacy.

Merger is no cross-carpeting. Meanwhile, Your personal lord and savior moved from SDP to AD to AC to ACN and now to APC. Is he not more terrible. I support him to succeed though, because of people's suffering

Nonny95:


I talk say you go give am another name and you no fail. 😂😂

Clown

You cannot cover-up whats glaring!

Everyone knows how a prostitute behaves. Same APC, AD and AC governed Lagos under same demigod. When has rebranding become prostitution?

Any calculation that doesn't consider that southeast has rejected PDP is still joking.
If Atiku is still selfish to run for president, then he should pick Yul Edochie as his running mate.

Isobug:

Merger is no cross-carpeting. Meanwhile, Your personal lord and savior moved from SDP to AD to AC to ACN and now to APC. Is he not more terrible. I support him to succeed though, because of people's suffering

Move to where!

False narrative!

You are the first to call Asiwaju a political prostitute. No one has ever mentioned such!

Na who go be the flag bearer be the koko

The arrangement will fall out... it's just a matter of time ,

Everyone of them wants to be president, is it Kwakwnso or Atiku that will be vice president

These set of politicians should retire from politics, they don't have Nigeria in their minds.

These people would have dislodged the APC in the last year elections, but their greed and lack of understanding politics cause the calamity.

Tinubu is the best mathematician in politics, he knows what to do to get what he want in politics.

Tinubu Ride on

Nonny95:


Atleast you now have knowledge of your own daddy's escapades and will learn to comport henceforth.

When am I getting a thank you for that free Lecture?

What false narrative are you trying to propel!

That Asiwaju piloted same party in different names? Is that waht Peter did?

Hello! Peter hopped around!

AllenSpencer:


You cannot cover-up whats glaring!

Everyone knows how a prostitute behaves. Same APC, AD and AC governed Lagos under same demigod. When has rebranding become prostitution?

And you be adult like this? Pathetic

Nonny95:


And you be adult like this? Pathetic

Call me anything! You have a right to your opinion!

All I am saying is that, I know the difference between prostitution and transformation!

You know what makes it so pathetic and sad, he returned to same party he left

What makes you think he still won't return to APGA IN 2031 after another loss with PDP?

Mr. Integrity my foot!

AllenSpencer:


What false narrative are you trying to propel!

That Asiwaju piloted same party in different names? Is that waht Peter did?

Hello! Peter hopped around!

The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP) is a centre-left political party in Nigeria. It was created alongside the National Republican Convention by former military president Ibrahim Babangida, as part of a democracy project meant to form two detribalized political parties.

AD: The Alliance for Democracy is a progressive opposition political party in Nigeria. It was formed on 9 September 1998. At the 2003 legislative elections, 12 April 2003, the party won 8.8% of the popular vote and 34 out of 360 seats in the Nigerian House of Representatives and 18 out of 109 seats in the Nigerian Senate. The party was formed to promote the cause of the Yoruba people in the Nigerian federation following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by Chief M. K. O. Abiola.

No where was it mentioned that Tinubu formed these political parties.

Credit: Wikipedia.

ACN: Action Congress of NIGERIA

The Action Congress of Nigeria, formerly known as Action Congress, was a Nigerian political party formed via the merger of a faction of Alliance for Democracy, the Justice Party, the Advance Congress of Democrats, and several other minor political parties in September 2006 by Tinubu.

APC: All Progressive Congress. A coalition of CPC, N-PDP, ACN, APGA faction, ANPP. It's not a record that it was founded solely by Tinubu.

Your god jumped from all these parties till APC. Rest

Kaycee9242:
Na who go be the flag bearer be the koko

Who else if not Atiku?

He can't step down for Obi or Kwakwanso.

AllenSpencer:


Call me anything! You have a right to your opinion!

All I am saying is that, I know the difference between prostitution and transformation!

You know what makes it so pathetic and sad, he returned to same party he left

What makes you think he still won't return to APGA IN 2031 after another loss with PDP?

Mr. Integrity my foot!

You can only deceive those on your IQ level. Not me or reasonable NIGERIANs.

I'm not here to banter words with you. But it seems the breeze in your head is much to allow learning enter. Bye..

Uncle, tell us a story

Nonny95:


The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP) is a centre-left political party in Nigeria. It was created alongside the National Republican Convention by former military president Ibrahim Babangida, as part of a democracy project meant to form two detribalized political parties.

AD: The Alliance for Democracy is a progressive opposition political party in Nigeria. It was formed on 9 September 1998. At the 2003 legislative elections, 12 April 2003, the party won 8.8% of the popular vote and 34 out of 360 seats in the Nigerian House of Representatives and 18 out of 109 seats in the Nigerian Senate. The party was formed to promote the cause of the Yoruba people in the Nigerian federation following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by Chief M. K. O. Abiola.

No where was it mentioned that Tinubu formed these political parties.

Credit: Wikipedia.

ACN: Action Congress of NIGERIA

The Action Congress of Nigeria, formerly known as Action Congress, was a Nigerian political party formed via the merger of a faction of Alliance for Democracy, the Justice Party, the Advance Congress of Democrats, and several other minor political parties in September 2006 by Tinubu.

APC: All Progressive Congress. A coalition CPC, NPDP, ACN, APGA factions, ANPP. It's not a record that it was founded solely by Tinubu.

Your god jumped from all these parties till APC. Rest

You trying hard to rewrite history but its impossible!

Everyone knows that, excluding SDP which was already defunct before 1999, Asiwaju propelled AD, AC, and ADN. It was same party and ideology, but now inculcating more party's. The structure and brainboxes never changed.

That cannot be said about Peter. He hopped from a regional party to a national party, then ran to an almost dead party, only to later return to the same party he left!

Atiku does not deny being a political prostitute, Peter should man-up and also accept. The narrative cannot be changed!

Nonny95:


You can only deceive those on your IQ level. Not me or reasonable NIGERIANs.

I'm not here to banter words with you. But it seems the breeze in your head is much to allow learning enter. Bye..

Low IQ because I don't know the difference between prostitution and transformation.

Call a spade a spade and spell it out! Peter is a political prostitute and has broken Atiku`s record!

AllenSpencer:


You trying hard to rewrite history but its impossible!

Everyone knows that, excluding SDP which was already defunct before 1999, Asiwaju propelled AD, AC, and ADN. It was same party and ideology, but now inculcating more party's. The structure and brainboxes never changed.

That cannot be said about Peter. He hopped from a regional party to a national party, then ran to an almost dead party, only to later return to the same party he left!

Atiku does not deny being a political prostitute, Peter should man-up and also accept. The narrative cannot be changed!

It will end in their own defeat . They are all desperate

Atiku greed go pursue obi from the new party

Peter Obi is your concern?

AllenSpencer:


Finally!

Peter finally overtook Atiku in political prostitution. A record has been made.

APGA-PDP-LP-PDP

He will be back to tell us that, PDP shares same values and vision with his candidacy.

Obi will become the presidential candidate of the new party that's if it's true. Otherwise everyone should remain in their previous party. Atiku is a joke

Another 'lule" loading for them as usual. President Tinubu will complete his 8yrs gidigba

AllenSpencer:


You trying hard to rewrite history but its impossible!

Everyone knows that, excluding SDP which was already defunct before 1999, Asiwaju propelled AD, AC, and ADN. It was same party and ideology, but now inculcating more party's. The structure and brainboxes never changed.

That cannot be said about Peter. He hopped from a regional party to a national party, then ran to an almost dead party, only to later return to the same party he left!

Atiku does not deny being a political prostitute, Peter should man-up and also accept. The narrative cannot be changed!

You can see how naive and hypocritical you are?

Why the aside SDP? Oh. That one isn't part of your transformation? Because I backed up my argument with fact?

AD, ACN have different ideologies.

The AD of late 90s was pan Yoruba, ACN was Partly pan Nigeria. Edo state is a example.

Ngige equally ran under ACN. Like I said before, allow learning to enter your head. This is a free class from me and I won't give it further. You're free to dwell in your own deceit and lies.