₦airaland Forum

Political economist, and activist, Professor Pat Utomi has said that political parties have lost their voices. He said the only strong opposition to the Federal Government are few voices on social media.

Professor Utomi said this at the David Oladipo Leadership Roundtable themed “Nigeria and Opposition Politics” on Tuesday, in Lagos.

At the event, the convener, Dr. David Oladipo, said Nigeria was failing to get value for democracy because opposition parties had become too weak to provide viable alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

He argued that opposition parties had abandoned rigorous intellectual work, reducing their relevance in governance debates.

“Opposition is not just about shouting. It requires designing policies, proposing solutions and putting forward ideas that can compel the ruling party to act,” he said.

Utomi
Also speaking, Professor Utomi lamented that most opposition parties had lost their voices due to fear of persecution and internal crises.

He was represented by Dr. Chidi Okpaluba, President of the Centre for Africa Renaissance, Reformation and Development.

“The only strong opposition we have today is a few active citizens on social media. Outside that, no political party is challenging this government,” Utomi said.

He faulted the silence of opposition parties on electoral reforms and constitutional violations.

The scholar and politician noted that “if the electoral system is not reformed, opposition parties cannot win elections in Nigeria.”

Participants at the roundtable agreed that the absence of a credible opposition poses a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic survival.

They warned that without reform and collaboration, the country risks sliding into a one-party state

YesDaddyTill203:
Instead of this clown suggesting and out forward alternative ideas, he wants to form an alternative government without winning an election.
I used to think that he was smart ntill he lost the election, and he lost his mind.

Softmirror:
“if the electoral system is not reformed, opposition parties cannot win elections in Nigeria.”



He spoke as a LOSER here finding excuse and not as one that is enlighten.

Ofunaofu:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/10/only-oppositions-to-fgre-on-social-media-political-parties-scared-pat-utomi/

Softmirror:
“if the electoral system is not reformed, opposition parties cannot win elections in Nigeria.”



He spoke as a LOSER here finding excuse and not as one that is enlighten.

Kingpele:
Yea but then APC as a party doesn't understand democracy. .there theme is always grab it and run away with it even without knowing how to use power....imagine Peter mbah is trying to move to APC because he's tired of wike grandstanding....

Softmirror:
“if the electoral system is not reformed, opposition parties cannot win elections in Nigeria.”



He spoke as a LOSER here finding excuse and not as one that is enlighten.

Softmirror:
“if the electoral system is not reformed, opposition parties cannot win elections in Nigeria.”



He spoke as a LOSER here finding excuse and not as one that is enlighten.

Kingpele:
Yea but then APC as a party doesn't understand democracy..there theme is always grab it and run away with it even without knowing how to use power....imagine Peter mbah is trying to move to APC because he's tired of wike grandstanding....

Bendeco02:
He said nothing but the truth

The votes don't count and oppostions need to do strong thing to APC to set example.

But you guys will learn in hard way come 2027, i pity APC agents.

SuperEagles:
But Tinubu won his own elecrion with same n even worse electoral system so what exactly is the essence of your rant ?

Bendeco02:
He said nothing but the truth

The votes don't count and oppostions need to do strong thing to APC to set example.

But you guys will learn in hard way come 2027, i pity APC agents.

ExudeLoveToAll:
You should be learned enough to grasp his concept but unfortunately sycophancy has it's way of eroding the critical thinking skills of it's victims. Pathetic

Greenback:
The truth is,the loser and failure are the you and the entire others cos it's a huge shame that the likes of this same Pat Uromi are not in governance!!!

It's a shame

Softmirror:
“if the electoral system is not reformed, opposition parties cannot win elections in Nigeria.”



He spoke as a LOSER here finding excuse and not as one that is enlighten.

Mrexcell:
Blame nigerians who can't fight for their rights but wants everything on a platter of gold that's why pdp governors, senators, rep members and other politicians from other opposition parties all prefer to defect to the ruling apc than to play opposition politics that will bring a better governance in nigeria show me any country in this world that developed with such mentally weak citizens?

favor914:
Everything Tinubu this, Tinubu that, one would think that we don’t have states & local government officials that are elected?

The opposition is completely clueless & bereft of democratic tendencies.