By Uche Amunike
Frontline political economist, Professor Patrick Utomi, has unveiled his plans to form a mega political party with people of like minds and political groups ahead of the 2027 election.
Utomi, who returned to the country, Wednesday, after a prolonged stay in the United States of America, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, that Nigeria cannot be redeemed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other opposition party. He stressed that the current political parties in the country had failed Nigerians by not adding value to building the nation.
He further stated that the mega party he was planning to form is meant to disrupt the current political order and deliver the impactful leadership that is deserved by Nigeria and Nigerians.
His words: ‘It is precisely the reason I arrived Nigeria yesterday to continue that work(formation of mega party). I believe that the political party system in Nigeria has failed completely. Political parties are not democratic and they are not serving the purpose.’
‘Political parties and politicians of these parties cannot save Nigeria now, it is clear. The nature and the structure of our politics is such that even good people, when they enter these existing political parties, will play to their interests,’ Patrick Utomi averted.
He also maintained that one of the things that has affected the mindset of politicians in Nigeria is that the parochial culture has consumed culture in the country. Therefore, any new political order must be created in order to get Nigeria out of the woods, just as citizens and leaders need to start doing the right things, so as to reposition the country.
Hear him: ‘Nigeria must be saved by its citizens and this is precisely what I am advancing. We are talking about value- driven citizenship with integrity, work ethics, respect for the dignity of people, regard for labour. We are created for others; we are not created for ourselves, we are created for the good of others. A tree does not take benefit from the shades it creates.’
‘We want Nigerians to develop that mindset. Right now, the mindset that Nigerians have is ,me, myself, and I. Self -love is so consuming and that is why Nigerian politicians don’t act in the interest of the people or the state. They act so narrowly in their self- interests.’ Utomi said.
According to him, in order to float the mega party, he will host meetings in Lagos this week, and in Abuja next week before holding the news conference, adding that his intention is to achieve much with the mega party talks before going back to the United States.
Patrick Utomi, further revealed that the groups that will merge to form the mega party are two kinds of politicians, the mega culpa and new value cohorts. Hear him: ‘The mea culpa cohort are politicians who have seen that what they did while in power, had not helped Nigeria are remorseful and are now willing to become part of the redemption initiative.’
‘There are also new Nigeria new value cohorts. This cohort will be working together ,and they will include people from all these other political parties,’ he stated.
He also stated that some elder statesmen would form parts of the party. Recall that he had conversations with some political leaders of some opposition parties his plans to form a new major political party that would take over from the ruling APC in the next election.
He also said that he had a discussion with some presidential candidates in the last election, including Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, and rubbed minds together on how possible it will be to bring the opposition politicians together to form a new party.
Professor Patrick Utomi was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in 2007. He is also the founder, Center for Values in Leadership.
