Nigeria’s economic hardship and growing public frustration have made the 2027 elections a critical test for the country’s democracy, according to Professor Pat Utomi. The political economist and Convener of the Big Tent and Movement for Credible Election has urged Nigerians to participate massively in the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Utomi said the level of hunger and anger in the country made voter participation more important.
“The state of our country is troubling. The pain, the hunger, and the anger in the land is so palpabl”.
He said widespread poverty was increasingly being exploited to manipulate voters. Utomi urged Nigerians to resist electoral manipulation and hold institutions accountable. He also expressed concern over declining public confidence in institutions including the judiciary, police, EFCC and INEC
“Even as power continues to weaponise poverty through the buying of votes of those so hungry”.
“The people must stand up and force compromised institutions to do right or pay a high price. Our institutions are crumbling while public confidence in the judiciary, the police and EFCC are at an all-time low”.
He said electoral integrity was critical to Nigeria’s survival.
Utomi also disclosed plans by the Big Tent and MCE to work towards live-streaming proceedings from polling units during the 2027 elections. He said the initiative would improve transparency and help address weaknesses associated with INEC’s existing electronic results-viewing system.
The political economist also highlighted the scale of economic hardship, citing figures he attributed to the IMF and World Bank on food insecurity and poverty. He said the worsening economy was also affecting Nigerians who previously considered themselves part of the middle class.
“I was beginning to think that I was being targeted because I received like a dozen or more desperate solicitations for money. Until a few days ago, I realised that I wasn’t the only one getting those requests. It was all over the place. So Nigerians have now lost their dignity that the shame of begging is nothing but has become a trend.
He said the situation showed how economic hardship was eroding the dignity of Nigerians.
