Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has voiced strong criticism against Nigeria’s political class, asserting that it has severely damaged the country’s judiciary, which is meant to be a bastion of justice. In an interview with PUNCH published on Sunday, the former presidential candidate expressed concerns about the erosion of trust in the judiciary, highlighting its potential deterrent effect on foreign investors.
Utomi emphasized the detrimental impact of the political class’s influence on the judiciary, noting that foreign investors often hesitate to invest in Nigeria due to uncertainties surrounding the legal system’s ability to deliver impartial justice in trade disputes.
Addressing a concerning incident, Utomi recounted a statement he heard on social media where someone expressed gratitude that President Bola Tinubu, a prominent political figure, refrained from influencing the judiciary against them. The professor criticized such statements, suggesting that they contribute to the erosion of public confidence in the judiciary’s independence. He emphasized that judges should feel ashamed to hear such remarks and called for a restoration of trust in the justice system.
Utomi clarified that he did not state that presidential candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party were considering a merger to unseat the All Progressives Congress in 2027, as was claimed. He asserted that his remarks were misunderstood, explaining that he had spoken with former presidential candidates, and they were open to the idea of forming a new party based on shared ideals and values.
