Pat Utomi, Nigerian politician and member of the Labour Party, has revealed that his battle with a terminal illness, specifically Prostate Cancer, was the reason for his silence following the February 25 general elections.
In a post on his official page, Utomi explained that he sought treatment abroad after the elections, leading to limited contact with the outside world. He expressed surprise at the lack of open discussion about Prostate Cancer, particularly among men of his age group.
Read his post below👇
“I am moved this dawn of light to confront an epidemic under the carpet with great harm to men. Prostate cancer is bringing death and misery to many men. Had they been forewarned the misery containment and even chances of cure could be much enhanced, like women have with breast cancer.
“When a biopsy showed I was positive last year I began treatment with a cancer Centre with a branch in Ikeja and VI. I sometimes came from election campaigns to the Ikeja Centre near the Airport. The Doctors would try to smuggle me out from the back. The well known shielded?
“Once elections were over my young nephews and cousins, Doctors in Europe and the US , joined forces with the Lakeshore people and decided they wanted me in their direct care. That’s how come it seemed I went quiet cause they controlled my phones to reduce stress.”
Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, aged 67, is a distinguished professor of political economy and a business management expert at the Lagos Business School. He also founded the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), an institute focused on leadership development, located in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Despite originating from Delta State, Nigeria, Prof Pat was born on February 6, 1956, in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.
A member of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria, Utomi has been recognized as a scholar-in-residence at esteemed institutions like the Harvard Business School and American University in Washington D.C.
Utomi’s contributions have garnered public acknowledgment, with his nomination and selection as one of Nigeria’s top ten Living Legends in the Vanguard/Silverbird Television Awards. He boasts an impressive collection of authored books.
His legacy in Nigeria’s political landscape is substantial. He served as a Special Assistant/Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari in the 1970s, which paved the way for his involvement in Nigerian politics. Additionally, he held a significant position in the private sector as the Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen Nigeria.
In the 2011 presidential election, where Late Musa Y’aradua led the way, Pat Utomi stood as the Presidential candidate under the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP).
Pat Utomi played a crucial role as a trailblazer in Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, dedicating his efforts extensively to ensure the success of the former Anambra State Governor’s bid. Notably, Utomi took the step of relinquishing his position as the flag bearer for the Labour Party after Peter Obi’s switch to the party and decision to contest the election under its banner.
Regrettably, the 2023 general election concluded with the victory of APC Flagbearer Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Both Peter Obi, the second runner-up, and Atiku Abubakar of the PDD, the first runner-up, are currently contesting Tinubu’s win in court.
