By Seyi Babalola
Prof. Pat Utomi, a prominent political economist, says his goal to build a massive political party with like-minded individuals and political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections is on track.
Utomi, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday after a long vacation in the United States, told Newsmen on Thursday that neither the governing All Progressives Congress nor any of the opposition parties could redeem the nation.
He claimed that the current political parties had failed the people and had not contributed to nation-building.
According to him, the projected mega party aims to disturb the present political system and provide the country with the meaningful leadership it deserves.
“It is precisely the reason I arrived in Nigeria yesterday to continue that work(formation of mega party)
“I believe that the political party system in Nigeria has failed completely. Political parties are not democratic and they are not serving the purpose.
“Political parties and politicians of these parties cannot save Nigeria now, it is clear.
“The nature and the structure of our politics is such that even good people, when they enter these existing political parties, will play to their interests, ” Utomi said.
According to the former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in 2007, parochial culture has consumed civic culture in the country and this has affected the mindset of politicians.
He said a new political order must be birthed to get Nigeria out of the woods and that citizens and leaders must begin to do the right things to reposition the country.
“Nigeria must be saved by its citizens and this is precisely what I am advancing.
“We are talking about value-driven citizenship with integrity, work ethics, respect for the dignity of people, regard for labour.
“We are created for others; we are not created for ourselves, we are created for the good of others. A tree does not take benefit from the shades it creates.
“We want Nigerians to develop that mindset. Right now, the mindset that Nigerians have is me, myself, and I.
“Self-love is so consuming and that is why Nigerian politicians don’t act in the interest of the people or the state. They act so narrowly in their self-interests,” he said.
Utomi said in continuation of work to float the mega party, he would hold meetings in Lagos this week, and hold meetings in Abuja next week before holding a news conference.
The political economist added he hoped to achieve much with the mega-party talks before going back to the U.S.
Utomi said groups that would come together to form the mega platform were two cohorts of politicians- the ‘mea culpa’ and ‘new value “cohorts.
“The mea culpa cohort are politicians who have seen that what they did while in power had not helped Nigeria, and are now remorseful. They are now willing to become part of the redemption initiative.
“There is also a new Nigeria new value cohort. This cohort will be working together, and it will include people from all these other political parties,” he said.
He said that some elder statesmen would also be brought into the fold.
