A respected political economist and public affairs analyst, Professor Pat Utomi, has stirred fresh debate on leadership and governance in Nigeria by calling for an age limit for those seeking executive political offices. According to him, no Nigerian above the age of 70 should contest for the offices of president or governor.
Utomi made this statement on Thursday during an interview on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television. He was responding to questions on leadership quality, governance challenges, and the future of democracy in Nigeria.
Speaking clearly and firmly, the professor said he plans to continue engaging Nigerians on the need to rethink the kind of leaders they elect, especially for top executive positions.
“I am insisting that I will continue to speak to the Nigerian people that nobody over the age of 70 should run for an executive position, whether it is governor or president,” Utomi said.
Utomi explained that executive positions such as president and governor require a high level of physical strength, mental alertness, and constant engagement. According to him, these roles are demanding and should not be occupied by individuals who may struggle with health challenges due to old age.
He expressed concern that Nigeria has, over the years, allowed people who require regular medical attention to occupy the highest offices in the land, often at great cost to the country.
“The Nigerian people must not continue to tolerate the presidency being a place where you keep people who need medical attention,” he said.
Utomi added that when leaders are not physically fit, governance suffers. He argued that taxpayers end up paying for medical trips, treatments, and extended absences from office, while citizens do not receive the quality of leadership and service they deserve.
“Doing so is at great expense to the Nigerian taxpayer, who is not getting the quality of services they should get from these public office holders,” he said.
While Utomi was firm on his stance regarding executive offices, he made a clear distinction between such roles and positions in the legislature. According to him, older individuals may still serve effectively as lawmakers, where the physical demands are less intense.
“Yes, a few people can stay in the legislature till they are 75, possibly even close to 80,” he said.
He explained that legislative work relies more on experience, wisdom, debate, and representation, unlike executive roles that require daily decision-making, crisis management, and constant public engagement.
This distinction, he said, is important in ensuring that Nigeria benefits from the experience of older citizens without sacrificing effective governance at the executive level.
Professor Pat Utomi is a well-known political economist, author, and public commentator. He has been active in Nigeria’s political space for decades and has often spoken on issues of governance, leadership, and economic reform.
Utomi has also contested for public office in the past and has remained vocal about the need for ethical leadership, transparency, and institutional reforms in Nigeria. His views often generate debate, especially on issues affecting political culture and leadership standards.
Utomi’s comments come at a time when discussions about leadership age and capacity are gaining attention in Nigeria. In recent years, the country has had leaders who assumed office at advanced ages, leading to public conversations about health, efficiency, and succession planning.
Nigeria’s constitution currently sets minimum age requirements for elective offices but does not specify a maximum age limit. For example, a presidential candidate must be at least 35 years old, but there is no upper age restriction.
This has allowed politicians well into their 70s and even 80s to contest and occupy top positions. Supporters argue that age brings experience and wisdom, while critics say it often comes with health challenges and reduced energy.
Utomi’s position also touches on the broader issue of youth inclusion in governance. Nigeria has a youthful population, with a large percentage under the age of 35. Many young Nigerians have repeatedly called for more opportunities to participate in leadership and decision-making.
The “Not Too Young to Run” movement, which led to constitutional amendments reducing age limits for elective offices, was one of the major efforts aimed at opening up the political space.
Although Utomi did not directly call for younger candidates to replace older ones, his argument suggests the need for a generational shift, especially in executive leadership.