Photo : Prof Pat Utomi
By: Daniel Kanu
Renown political economist and management expert, Prof Pat Utomi, has raised alarm over what he described as a deepening moral and institutional crisis in Nigeria following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to withdraw recognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Utomi criticised the electoral body’s action, warning that it signals a dangerous erosion of democratic norms and accountability.
Citing a controversial quote often attributed to Joseph Stalin — “those who vote decide nothing, and those who count the votes decide everything” — Utomi alleged that INEC’s conduct appears to reflect such a philosophy.
He expressed concern that the Chairman of INEC, Joash Amupitan, may be undermining the credibility of the electoral system.
“It seems INEC is bent on proving that. We know Stalin was a brutal dictator. We thought Amupitan was an intellectual and lawyer,” Utomi said.
The former presidential aspirant further called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take a stand, warning that failure to hold public officials accountable could accelerate what he described as Nigeria’s “institutional and moral free fall.”
“If the NBA cannot prevail on Amupitan to resign, the fall of Nigeria through institutional and moral safety nets has become a free fall. History will hold all lawyers and Amupitan accountable in a way that will embarrass generations,” he added.
The controversy stems from INEC’s recent decision regarding the leadership structure of the ADC, a move that has sparked debate within political and legal circles about the commission’s powers in internal party affairs.
Analysts note that disputes over party leadership are not uncommon in Nigeria’s political landscape, but INEC’s involvement often raises constitutional questions, particularly concerning the extent of its regulatory authority over political parties.
As of time of this report, INEC has not issued a detailed public response to Utomi’s remark.
The development adds to growing concerns ahead of the 2027 general elections, with observers warning that public confidence in electoral institutions remains critical to the credibility of the democratic process.
