Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Prof. Pat Utomi, has declared that he is more prepared to govern Nigeria than President Bola Tinubu and other prominent political figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
Utomi made the assertion on Sunday while speaking on a television programme where he reflected on his political journey, opposition coalition efforts, and what he described as Nigeria’s deepening governance and democratic challenges.
According to him, his years of preparation and consistency within the ADC place him ahead of other political actors angling for the presidency.
Utomi said he had remained in the ADC since 2007 and had been actively involved in early coalition-building efforts following that election cycle, engagements he noted once included politicians who are now spread across different political parties.
He explained that those discussions were aimed at fostering unity and inclusive political participation rather than exclusionary politics driven by personal ambition.
Utomi stressed that meaningful national progress would only be possible if political actors were willing to work together across party lines in the interest of the country.
He also dismissed the growing belief that the defection of governors into the ruling All Progressives Congress would automatically guarantee electoral success in 2027.
The ADC chieftain argued that electoral outcomes in previous elections showed that incumbency at the state level did not always translate into victory at the polls.
Utomi further warned that Nigeria’s democratic system was facing serious risks if electoral integrity continued to be undermined.
He cautioned against any attempt to manipulate the will of the electorate in future elections, warning that continued democratic erosion could trigger severe consequences for national stability.
Drawing from his international engagements after the 2007 elections, Utomi recalled discussions with global political leaders who questioned the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and expressed concern over the country’s democratic direction.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates within the ADC and the broader opposition bloc over the strategy and leadership of a proposed coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
The comments have also sparked internal reactions, following recent criticism from another ADC chieftain, Dele Momodu, who faulted Utomi’s stance on the party’s presidential ticket and the political future of former Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi.
Momodu had argued that such positions risk undermining democratic choice within the opposition, stressing the need for strategic flexibility in efforts to challenge the ruling party.
Utomi’s latest remarks add to the intensifying political conversations as opposition figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
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