Pat Utomi, a chieftain in the Labour Party (LP), has expressed his dismay at the ongoing “trial of former Kogi governor Bello in the court of public opinion.”
Utomi sees this as a reflection of the deeper crisis plaguing Nigeria’s elite, where the “abuse of trust beggars belief.”
Utomi’s comments come in the wake of a recent incident he witnessed during a lunch in Washington, D.C., where someone “caricatured” the situation in Nigeria, likening it to “armed robbers lynching pickpockets to jeers and cheers of rogue apprentices.” Utomi finds this deeply troubling, stating that “May shame not kill me” in reference to the depth of the crisis.
The veteran politician and academic lamented the state of affairs, noting that the problem extends beyond Kogi to other states, such as Abia, Delta, and Zamfara, where the “abuse of trust” has reached alarming levels. Utomi’s words serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and ethical leadership within Nigeria’s political and social spheres.
The sheer audacity of such public looting, especially in the face of widespread poverty and the decline of the middle class, is mind-boggling. Utomi suggests that the country could be aptly described as a mental colony, warranting the intervention of psychiatrists. It is indeed a tragedy for a nation that once held so much promise.
As a respected figure in the Labour Party, Utomi’s comments carry significant weight and underscore the growing frustration among Nigerians who seek a more transparent and accountable government. His call for action and an end to the “crisis of elite in Nigeria” echoes the sentiments of many citizens who yearn for a brighter future for their country.
