By Muhammad Mamman
Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned political economist and management expert, has accused Nigerian politicians of deliberately fuelling divisions in the country for their own gain.
Speaking on Monday at a public forum in Abuja, Utomi said the deepening fault lines across ethnic, religious and regional boundaries did not occur by accident but were engineered by political actors seeking to exploit the population for electoral advantage.
He argued that many of the tensions witnessed today—whether political, social or economic—stem from the actions of leaders who prioritise personal ambition over national cohesion. According to him, politicians often resort to divisive rhetoric, patronage networks and polarising narratives to secure power, leaving the nation more fragmented after every election cycle.
Utomi stressed that Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress unless citizens challenge the political class to adopt a more inclusive and accountable approach to governance. He urged Nigerians to resist manipulative tactics and demand leadership rooted in truth, justice and unity.
“Nation-building is impossible when leaders sow seeds of discord,” he said, calling for a collective effort to rebuild trust and strengthen democratic values.
The professor also encouraged civic groups, young people and the media to play a more active role in promoting issue-based politics and rejecting divisive sentiments.
Utomi’s remarks come amid growing public debates about national unity, governance failures and the rising cost of political competition in Africa’s most populous country.
