Political activist and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership, Pat Utomi, has weighed in on the newly announced African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition, warning that the alliance will not succeed if its sole purpose is to win elections.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, Utomi said coalitions must demonstrate a deeper commitment to national transformation, rather than serving as “election-winning machines.”
Utomi, who has been part of meetings that gave rise to the coalition, confirmed his involvement but stressed that real change requires more than assembling familiar political actors.
“If winning an election is the only reason for this, it’s not worth my time,” he said, adding that many of those in the alliance are responsible for the problems they now claim to want to solve.
“Politics should not be about revenge or power for its own sake,” he noted. “We must build a culture of applying thought to action.”
While acknowledging that the coalition could become a platform for redemption, Utomi warned that it must move beyond rhetoric and signal genuine care for the Nigerian people.
“Nigeria has suffered a collapse of culture. People don’t really seriously believe anymore that ideas solve problems. People just think everything is about, you know, dealing.
“The idea of this coalition sends a signal that we’re going to do a mea culpa,” he said. “Some of those involved may have contributed to Nigeria’s challenges, but if they are truly committed to mentoring younger, better-socialised leaders, that could be a turning point.”
He called on the coalition to focus on institutional reform, leadership development, and long-term strategic planning, not just electoral victory. “don’t think that you can just boo-boo-ba-ba, get power. Oh, if we get power, we don’t know what to do with it. It’s not like that,” he said pointedly.
According to Utomi, the ADC-led coalition must present clear plans for solving real problems, or risk becoming just another fleeting political stunt.
Chioma Kalu
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