₦airaland Forum

A political economist, Prof Pat Utomi, says anybody above the age of 70 years should not contest for either presidency or governor.

Prof Utomi made this statement on Thursday while responding to questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST.

He was speaking on running for public office in Nigeria.

I’m insisting that I will converse to the Nigerian people that nobody over the age of 70 should run for an executive position, whether it be governor or president.

“Yes, a few people can stay in the legislature till they are 75 possibly even close to 80. But the Nigerian people must not continue to tolerate the presidency being where you keep people who need medical attention.

“Doing so is at the great expense to the Nigerian taxpayer, who is not getting the quality of services they should get from these public office holders,” he said.

pic.twitter.com/xn7SWSniWC

— ~Hatitude (@Hatitude3) January 2, 2026

AMINDA:
Okay, how old is Tinubu? Pat Utomi is the Tinubu man who Reno Omokri kept accusing of luring Obi away from the PDP in order to split opposition votes in 2023. He and the likes of Doyin Okupe who later jumped ship immediately after the election. He has no polling unit to deliver and Obi has clocked them already. Making his declaration in Enugu is symbolic. Obi no longer represents himself but the political interests of his region. He is the convener and pioneer of the coalition and he will take an unemotional decision. That is why he keeps saying that he's not desperate to become president in 2027. APC are now claiming the V.P position is a spare tyre but Tinubu wanted to become V.P to Buhari in 2015 but for muslim-muslim. He ended up nominating Osinbajo and the rest is history.

LibertyRep:
He is the convener and pioneer of the coalition and he will take an unemotional decision. Shouldn't this title and honor be given to Alhaji Atiku.?

Heffalump:
I strongly support Utomi on this one. If the retirement age in the federal civil service is 60years what should someone over 70 be doing as president?

Stiff age restriction should be included in our constitution for political offices as president, governor, senate, and rep.

I could vividly recall, Buhari at 72 was visibly crying that age was failing him. Most elderly people at 70 and over have a myriad of protracted illnesses. It's purely a liability on national budget having such individuals as presidents. Again, the most dangerous one is that most critical decisions, either good or bad are often influenced by the croonies surrounding the president, who is aged and cannot act fast with alacrity. His mental dependency level increases.

Age restrictions should be ensured to keep old brains away from active politics and go into permanent retirement.

AqualinaXYZ:
Tinubu is 65



His first daughter is 67



Is God not wonderful?

AqualinaXYZ:
Tinubu is 65



His first daughter is 67



Is God not wonderful?

AqualinaXYZ:
Tinubu is 65



His first daughter is 67



Is God not wonderful?

Truthissupreme:
Obi would reach 70 and una go change mouth

Memphitz357:
I strongly agree with this

ceeceeco:
From the middle of 2026, so many bad things will happen, then in the year 2027 there'll be serious chaos in Nigeria!

Watch out.

Chucks13:
And your Trump is 40 years?

And yourr putin is 30 years?

And your Otti of Abia is 25 years?

Look all these noise failed in 2023 and it will fail in 2027 and 2077 sef.

I blame atiku we warned him then never to involves Mr Lamba in his political journey we told him Mr Lamba always want to eat where he didn't sowed, we told him his followers will destroy his dream, we told those lousy thing will mess him up today see them starting 2023 failed template again to ruins everywhere.

Pat Uromi that is talking when he was appointed as the head if economy stuffs in Delta pls what did he do? Nothing he was removed by the then govetnor of Delta I still remember that saga till date see him now talking as if he got something good to offer.