Renowned professor of political economy and management, Pat Utomi, has used the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day to call for a deep reflection on the nation’s political leadership, describing some Nigerian politicians as “thugs and tropical gangsters.”
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In a series of posts shared via his official X handle on Wednesday and Thursday, Utomi emphasized the need for Nigerians to free themselves from the grip of self-serving political actors whose character flaws he believes continue to derail national progress.
“The real reflection for June 12 has to be how the people can liberate themselves from thugs and tropical gangsters masquerading as politicians, as their character flaws damage the prospects of the people of their countries,” Utomi wrote.
He linked the significance of June 12 to the leadership ideals embodied by the late Chief MKO Abiola, whose annulled victory in the 1993 presidential election remains a pivotal point in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“Engaging the leadership question in African politics is what drove Chief Abiola,” Utomi said. “So June 12 is perhaps the day to reflect on leadership.”
The professor also referenced Kenyan legal scholar and public intellectual, PLO Lumumba, noting that Lumumba often critiques Nigeria’s leadership failures by drawing comparisons with countries like Qatar — much to the discomfort of the Nigerian elite.
“From inside, we hear it every day from people like PLO Lumumba, who often shows off Nigeria’s failings when he compares with Qatar, as Nigerian elite in his audience grin sheepishly as if they do not realise it is about them he is speaking. But what he says is the truth,” Utomi stated.
The real reflection for June 12 has to be how the people can liberate themselves from Thugs and Tropical Gangters masquerading as politicians as their character flaws damage the prospects of the people of their countries
— Pat Utomi (@UtomiPat) June 11, 2025
To mark the day, Utomi said he would observe three minutes of silence at noon on June 12 in honour of figures who have contributed to Nigeria’s democratic struggle. These include the late Chief MKO Abiola, whom he described as “a hero,” as well as the late Tunde Akinleye, former chairman of Ikoyi Club, and elder statesman, Papa Ayo Adebanjo.
He also cited the book Tropical Gangsters by development economist Robert Klitgaard, saying the term aptly captures the nature of political leadership in parts of Africa.
June 12 is officially recognised as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of the 1993 election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.
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