Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigeria is currently in a worse condition than it was during the military rule of the late General Sani Abacha.
Utomi made the statement during an interview on Nigeria Info 99.3FM while discussing the state of the nation and recent concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN.
The university don said the frustration expressed by the Catholic bishops should not be dismissed as the opinion of a few individuals, arguing that their position reflects the concerns of many Nigerians who are worried about the direction of the country.
Utomi also explained that the Catholic Church has a structured process for reaching positions on important national issues. He said various bodies within the Church, including the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, contribute to discussions before issues are eventually considered by the bishops.
According to him, the bishops usually deliberate on major national matters before taking their concerns to the government.
“The bishops have had a meeting before they went to see the president. The speech delivered by Cardinal John Onaiyekan generally reflects the collective concerns of the bishops, although individual members may still hold personal opinions,” Utomi said.
His comments came after growing concerns from religious leaders, civil society groups and other Nigerians over the economic and security situation in the country.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has repeatedly raised concerns about hardship, insecurity, poverty, unemployment and the general welfare of Nigerians. The bishops have also urged the Federal Government to take stronger steps to address the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens.
Utomi said the concerns raised by the Catholic leaders should therefore be taken seriously rather than being treated as a political attack against the government.
He argued that the Church’s internal process gives its statements on national issues a broad base, adding that the bishops’ concerns were based on discussions and observations within the Church.
The political economist went further to compare the present situation in Nigeria with the military government of Abacha, which ruled the country from 1993 until his death in 1998.
Abacha’s government remains one of the most controversial periods in Nigeria’s political history. His administration was marked by restrictions on political activities, alleged human rights abuses, the detention of political opponents and international isolation.
Despite those challenges, Utomi said the present situation was even worse in some respects.
“I think we’re in a worse condition than under Abacha. There’s no doubt about it,” he said.
The comparison is likely to generate debate, particularly because the Abacha era is widely remembered as a period of military repression and political uncertainty.
However, Utomi’s argument appears to focus largely on the current economic and social conditions of Nigerians, as well as what he considers the failure of the political system to deliver good governance since the return to democracy in 1999.
He also blamed part of Nigeria’s present problems on what he described as the failure of the transition from military rule to civilian government in 1998.
The military handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999 after the death of Abacha in 1998. The transition ended years of military rule and ushered in the Fourth Republic.
Since then, Nigeria has maintained civilian rule, with successive governments promising to improve the economy, strengthen democratic institutions, reduce poverty and improve security.
Utomi, however, believes that the transition failed to adequately address some of the structural problems inherited from the military era.
His comments come at a time when Nigerians are facing rising living costs and widespread concerns about their economic well-being.
The Tinubu administration, which came into office in May 2023, introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system. The government has defended the measures as necessary steps to rebuild the economy and attract investment.
The reforms have, however, caused significant hardship for many households, with higher transport fares, food prices and other living expenses becoming major concerns.
The government has introduced several measures aimed at reducing the impact of the reforms, including social intervention programmes and efforts to increase food production. It has also maintained that the reforms will produce better economic conditions in the long term.
On the security front, Nigerians continue to face challenges from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime in different parts of the country. The situation has also increased pressure on the government to improve the protection of lives and property.
Utomi’s remarks add to the growing criticism of the Tinubu administration from political leaders, religious groups, economists and civil society organisations.
The government and its supporters have consistently argued that the administration inherited a troubled economy and a difficult security situation, saying the reforms are intended to correct long-standing problems.
But critics insist that Nigerians should not be asked to endure indefinite hardship without seeing clear improvements in their living conditions.
Utomi’s assessment therefore places the current debate beyond the question of economic reforms, raising wider concerns about governance, democracy and the failure of successive administrations to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
His comparison with the Abacha era is particularly strong, considering the authoritarian nature of military rule at the time. It also highlights the level of frustration among some Nigerians who expected democratic rule to bring better living conditions, stronger institutions and greater accountability.