Political economist Pat Utomi has challenged Nigerian politicians to place national unity and long-term development above personal ambition, warning that political rivalry and what he described as narcissism could undermine the country’s future.
Utomi spoke after his inauguration as Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress National Reconciliation Committee in Abuja.
He said the committee’s assignment went beyond settling disputes arising from party congresses and primaries and should help build a political culture capable of strengthening Nigeria and Africa.
Utomi argued that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, carried a responsibility to provide leadership for the continent’s political and economic renewal.
He said investors continued to view parts of Africa as unstable and underprepared for large-scale capital despite the continent’s resources, youthful population and market potential.
According to him, the challenge should be converted into an opportunity to attract investment into infrastructure and productive sectors.
He urged political leaders to create conditions in which entrepreneurs, innovators and young people could thrive.
Drawing on the African idea of Ubuntu, Utomi said politics should be driven by service, sacrifice and the common good rather than ego.
He also called for the NDC to become a genuinely youth-driven political movement, noting Nigeria’s young population.
NDC National Chairman Cleopas Moses said the reconciliation panel was necessary because rapid party expansion and nationwide primaries had inevitably produced grievances.
He urged unsuccessful aspirants to remain in the party, arguing that the 2027 objective was larger than any individual ambition.
Committee Co-Chairman Buba Galadima blamed some post-primary disputes on weaknesses in the Electoral Act and appealed to aggrieved aspirants to accept reconciliation in the wider national interest.
The committee is expected to engage dissatisfied aspirants across the country, review complaints and recommend measures to strengthen party cohesion ahead of the 2027 campaigns.
