Former presidential candidate and political economist Prof Patrick Utomi warned in Enugu that Nigeria’s future could be at risk if its electoral process, institutions and legal framework continue to erode public trust. Utomi made the remarks during the 22nd Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) Conference, addressing a mixed audience of lawyers, journalists and other stakeholders.
Utomi stressed that credible elections are essential for legitimising government. “If the people are convinced that there is no point, what is an election? Imagine the amount of money we waste to have elections that are totally meaningless because they do not legitimise anybody,” he said. He added that elections are a key component of institution‑building, helping to define behavioural boundaries and reduce uncertainty.
“Institutions are simply boundaries that define behaviour. Within the boundaries, you can anticipate outcomes. Outside the boundaries, there are consequences. Because of it, uncertainty is reduced, transaction costs are lowered, and people can grow and make progress,” Utomi explained.
He warned that the normalisation of abnormal practices has increased the cost of doing business and weakened confidence in Nigeria’s institutions. “What has happened to us, unfortunately, is because the abnormal has become so accepted that the transaction costs of engaging in Nigeria are such that we are only heading in one direction – ultimate collapse,” he cautioned.
Utomi also warned that when citizens feel they have no legitimate means to influence society, frustration can turn destructive. “If people realise that they can’t do anything about anything, they keep quiet. And today, they get angry enough, they destroy something,” he said, citing examples of institutional breakdown and violent conflict in other countries.
He called on journalists and editors to act as “gatekeepers” in protecting democratic institutions and holding leaders accountable, while lawyers must ensure that laws remain precise and provide certainty. “If the law cannot show precision, it has no value because that’s what it does to help society order where it is going,” Utomi said.
Concluding, Utomi urged participants to turn discussion into action, noting that Nigeria’s survival and progress depend on strengthening its institutions. “Please, let us get value out of this. It matters,” he added.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
