Former presidential candidate, Pat Utomi, has expressed concern that Nigeria has turned away from intellectual leadership, warning that the shift has weakened the country’s democratic and civic foundations.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television, Utomi said many of Nigeria’s current challenges could be traced to the transition from military rule in 1999.
He argued that the replacement of ideas with the pursuit of raw power has damaged public life and emptied democracy of its substance.
Asked what experience had taught him about Nigeria that he wished he had understood earlier, Utomi said the nation’s difficulties must be examined from a long historical perspective.
“A few days ago, Reverend Father George Ehusani reminded me of Socrates,” he said. “He tried to console me that I should not feel bad if what I preached most of my life has not yet shaped Nigeria.
Socrates was encouraged to drink poison, but Western civilisation was built on his thoughts. So, in some ways, I am supposed to be consoled by the fact that after I am gone, Nigeria may become great because of the ideas I expressed.”
Utomi said he still hoped to witness national progress within his lifetime, maintaining that Nigeria holds a special place in history.
“I believe Nigeria was gifted to humanity to redeem the trampled dignity of the Black man and to reverse the road to serfdom paved by colonial oppression and slavery,” he said.
“If we focus on being a redeeming generation, we could walk away feeling we helped make Nigeria the trigger for that redemption.”
Reflecting on earlier eras, he lamented the decline in the value placed on ideas and intellectual depth.
“At a point in our history, people turned away from valuing ideas. If you read Obafemi Awolowo in his 30s and 40s, he was a profound philosopher. If you listen to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, he was one of the great philosophers of all time,” he added.
Utomi said the turning point came during the period of military rule, compounded by the rise of oil wealth.
He warned that the exercise of power without guiding ideas ultimately inflicts lasting damage on society.
