Renowned Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has warned that attempts to manipulate Nigeria’s 2027 general election could provoke serious unrest, saying growing public determination to resist electoral malpractice should not be underestimated.
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Utomi raised the concern after what he described as an “accidental town hall meeting” in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he had attended a lunch to which Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, was invited. The gathering, according to him, developed into a discussion about Nigeria’s political situation and the integrity of the forthcoming election.
“I am in the middle of an accidental town hall meeting in Manchester in the UK. I came to a lunch to which Peter Obi was invited. I found food I looked forward to deferred for questions on the trouble with Nigeria,” Utomi wrote on X.
He said many of the questions raised by participants reflected anxiety over what they perceived as the confidence of some public officials that the outcome of the 2027 election could be manipulated or was already predetermined.
“Many of the questions suggest worry about the boldness of public officials in projecting rigging with results of elections of 2027 considered in the pocket,” he said.
According to Utomi, participants were particularly interested in what citizens could do to protect the electoral process and prevent the manipulation of results.
“They were energised to ask for how they could fight rigging,” he stated.
The political economist consequently warned that any attempt by those in authority to override the will of voters could have grave consequences for the country.
“The determination to do whatever will prevent election malpractice suggests we may see a civil war if power tries to muscle the will of the people this time,” Utomi said.
His comments were framed as a warning about the possible consequences of disputed electoral outcomes rather than a claim that violence was inevitable.
The remarks come as political activities and alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with electoral credibility, transparency and the conduct of institutions expected to remain central issues in the campaign.
Utomi has also publicly declared his support for Obi’s presidential ambition, while making clear that his backing is specifically for Obi to contest for president and not to accept a vice-presidential position under another candidate.
In an earlier statement, Utomi said: “Peter Obi has my support for the presidency. But my position is clear, I am not supporting the idea of Peter Obi becoming somebody else’s Vice President. The day Peter Obi accepts a Vice Presidential position, I will walk away from his corner.”
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