Political economist Professor Pat Utomi has launched a direct political attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that refusing to face rival candidates in open policy debates amounts to dishonesty toward the Nigerian electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Appearing as a guest on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, Utomi argued that open debates are a foundational pillar of any functioning constitutional democracy and urged the President to subject his policies to rigorous public scrutiny.

"If you cannot stand side by side with somebody contesting for the same position and engage in policy discussions, then you are being totally dishonest to the people you are offering to serve," Utomi stated.

Key Points From Utomi's Briefing

  • Challenge to Grassroots Engagement: Utomi challenged President Tinubu to travel across the nation, visit state capitals, and engage directly with citizens in both urban centers and rural communities to build genuine rapport rather than relying on political proxies.

  • Lessons from International Democracies: Referencing electoral reforms in South Korea, Utomi recalled how the nation revitalized its democratic system by embedding public debates across local halls, street corners, and national television networks.

  • Deterioration of Political Accountability: Expressing dismay over the state of Nigeria's political culture, Utomi criticized the tendency of political structures to defend leadership health and availability rather than expecting leaders to prove their fitness through rigorous, face-to-face public discourse.

"I feel so bad personally... to watch our democracy deteriorate to the point where we spend most of our time nursing our leaders, and they can give all kinds of excuses rather than accept that they are not well," he added.

Do you agree with Pat Utomi that presidential debates should be mandatory for all candidates before elections? Share your opinion in the comments below!