Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to express his deep concern over Nigeria’s current state, reflecting on his decades-long quest for a better country.
He lamented that two quotes, which dominated his writing during the oppressive years of military rule, have resurfaced in today’s climate. Even more troubling, he notes, is that these quotes from Martin Niemoller and Dante’s Inferno have now been joined by a prophetic warning from Socrates.
Utomi’s reflections center around the apathy and silence in the face of wrongdoing. “If wrong reigns, we should typically worry about the wrongdoers. However, looking at Nigeria today, I believe the greater blame lies with those who witness the wrongs but pretend to be deaf and blind,” Utomi stated.
Drawing from history, Utomi referenced Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran priest who initially supported Nazi ideas but later opposed them. After spending years in concentration camps, Niemoller famously remarked: “First, they came for the socialists, but I did not speak up because I was not a socialist…then they came for the Jews, but I did not speak… when they finally came for me, there was no one left to speak up.”
Utomi also invoked Dante’s Inferno, where the hottest part of hell is reserved for those who, in the face of a moral crisis, remain neutral. This metaphor resonates with those who choose indifference amid Nigeria’s challenges.
Adding to his reflections, Utomi cited Socrates, who predicted that democracy would eventually falter. Socrates warned that when democracy begins to cater to everyone indiscriminately, criminals and fraudsters will rise to power, resulting in a dictatorship worse than any previous regime.
Utomi’s message was clear: the strength of a democracy lies in its institutions, but Nigeria’s institutions have been systematically weakened. “May God help us,” he concluded, expressing his hope for a better future.
