Some unseen forces trying to weaken opposition — Pat Utomi
A Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has raised concerns that certain hidden forces are working behind the scenes to destabilise opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Utomi made this known on Tuesday during an interview on Prime Time, a current affairs programme aired on Arise Television. Speaking during the programme, he expressed worry over what he described as coordinated efforts to create confusion, division and internal crisis within major opposition parties.
According to him, political parties such as the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are all facing similar challenges, which he believes are not coincidental. He suggested that some individuals within these parties may be acting as willing tools for external interests bent on weakening the opposition space.
Utomi, who currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the ADC Manifesto and Policy Committee, noted that every political party naturally contains a mix of individuals with different intentions — the good, the bad and the self-serving. However, he warned that when such divisions are exploited by external forces, they can seriously undermine the strength and unity of the opposition.
He further lamented that the conduct of some politicians across party lines is gradually eroding public confidence in the democratic system. According to him, many Nigerians are becoming disillusioned as they watch political actors engage in actions that do not reflect the true principles of democracy.
Citing broader trends across the continent, Utomi stated that although many Africans strongly desire democratic governance, the behaviour of those in positions of power often prevents democracy from functioning effectively. He warned that this disconnect is fueling frustration among citizens and weakening trust in democratic institutions.
“There are some unseen hands trying to disrupt the Labour Party, PDP, and ADC,” he said, stressing that such interference, if not addressed, could pose a serious threat to the credibility of the 2027 elections.
Utomi therefore called for urgent and deliberate efforts by political leaders, civil society groups and citizens to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy. He emphasised the need for transparency, internal party discipline and a renewed commitment to democratic values.
He concluded by urging Nigerians not to lose hope, but to remain actively engaged in the political process, insisting that collective action is necessary to rescue the country from further democratic decline.
