Utomi: Politicians are deepening Nigeria’s divisions

Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, has blamed Nigerian politicians for fueling divisions in the country. Speaking at the first Tony Uranta Memorial Lecture in Lagos, organised by the Tony Uranta Foundation, Utomi highlighted how politicians exploit ethnic and religious differences to manipulate emotions and secure votes, undermining national unity.

The lecture, themed “Unity in Diversity: Building a National Identity Beyond Ethno-Religious Fault Lines,” emphasized the need for fresh thinking to overcome these challenges. Utomi lamented that Nigeria’s political class has strayed from the vision intended for the nation.

Ambassador Godknows Ighali, chairman of the event, reminded attendees that Nigeria’s unity was a deliberate choice by its founders, unlike the partition of India and Pakistan in 1948. He stressed that the original agreement envisioned a country where all citizens are treated equally and elections are fair—a principle that should guide the nation today.

Source: vanguard