Nigerian politicians masters in destroying institutions – Pat Utomi

Renowned political economist and former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi, shares his thoughts with BIODUN BUSARI on challenges and possible remedies to myriads of challenges plaguing the country

Why does it seem difficult for Nigeria to get it right at 64?

We are in a nation-building phase as a country. Honestly, we will experience falls, rises, starts, and stops. Nation-building is not a straight line. Each time we stumble, we must learn from the reasons behind our setbacks. Just like a child learning to walk, when he falls, he looks around to see if anyone is watching and then gets back up.

One of the challenges we face is that we are not reflective enough when we encounter difficulties as a nation. We fail to ask why we stumbled and why we have not yet gotten it right.
Much of the narrative surrounding our journey seems to focus on individuals. I listened to the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akin Adesina, during his Guardian Lecture, and he was quite clear: the world cannot take us seriously if we continue down our current path.

He urged Nigerian leaders to act differently for the world to regard them seriously and for progress to be made.

In my observations of our starts and stops, falls and rises, it is evident to me that there are critical learning points. One clear lesson is that our values must shape human progress. No country can advance where anything goes; without values that command respect, we will struggle.
As it stands today, this is a country of scammers, where politicians act like rogues, using resources meant for the common good for their personal gain.

These are the narratives of Nigeria, and serious individuals are reluctant to engage in trade with such people. As a result, the potential benefits of trade are lost.

What are possible solutions to the country’s challenges?
If we are to change Nigeria’s narrative and intentionally address our failures, two critical factors must be considered. First, the values crisis in Nigeria has reached epidemic proportions. Dishonesty has become something to take pride in, with politicians waking up each day to tell blatant lies without a second thought. They perceive this behaviour as acceptable because they view politics as merely a game. In such a culture, individuals are not seen as trustworthy, and this perpetuates poverty across the nation.

Second, the strength of our institutions is paramount. In the United States, when faced with a less-than-stellar president, robust institutions push back, ultimately paving the way for better leadership and a more prosperous society. In contrast, our institutions are weak, and our politicians often undermine and dismantle them. Consequently, the global perception of the Nigerian judiciary is one of mockery, and the Independent National Electoral Commission is often seen as a laughingstock.

When institutions lack credibility, the legitimacy of governance is called into question, leading people to believe that elections are merely a façade, regardless of the truth.

For instance, Al Gore could have contested the 2000 U.S. presidential election results against George Bush, but he prioritised the future of America over his own ambition. This highlights the importance that Americans place on the sanctity of their institutions to ensure societal progress. Historians, politicians, and Nobel laureates in economics consistently emphasise the crucial role institutions play in driving economic development.
You were part of The Patriots calling for a people-oriented constitution a few weeks ago. Is Nigeria really about the constitution or people in corridors of power?

It’s about both of them. However, behaviour is more important than the document. The British don’t have a written constitution, yet they function. So, conventions and values significantly determine how we move forward. If there is a guide, those values can be more easily directed towards achieving their greater goals.

What is the significance of The New Tribe to the development of the Nigerian state?

We thought of starting an initiative for citizens, not about ‘big men’ relaxing and dictating how society should work. It’s a citizen movement. We must add value to our institutions and to nation-building, and this is what The ‘New Tribe’ is about.

It is significantly diaspora-based. By the way, it is for all Nigerians everywhere. One of the things it does is to bring the diaspora into the core of the conversation because we cannot pretend that the diaspora is not a part of us. That’s why the government claims that Nigerians in the diaspora don’t have the right to vote, whereas it is not the case in other countries. They contribute to our economy, but we ignore them in the voting process. However, when it comes to ‘The New Tribe’, they are very central to this movement.

Our focus is not on the government but on the people. When the Nigerian government realises this, ultimately it won’t have a choice. The truth of the matter is that the government knows this, and that’s why it established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. However, it understands that Nigerians in the diaspora are more rational and will vote out the bad government. And because those in government are corrupt, they fear the diaspora vote. But it’s not something they can hold back for long. It’s just for a season; we’ll have to deal with it.