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| Pat Utomi in November 2012. File photograph. Edirin247 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. |
Political economist Pat Utomi has asked President Bola Tinubu to face his opponents in a presidential debate ahead of the 2027 election, arguing that Nigerians should hear candidates explain their policies and defend their records before deciding whom to support.
In a statement that Daily Post reported on Friday, 13 November, Utomi questioned Tinubu’s decision to avoid presidential debates during the previous election campaign and urged him to reconsider that approach. The newspaper attributed the statement to a post on X.
“Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a presidential debate between you and your opponents is long overdue.”
Utomi said campaign appearances and endorsements should allow room for direct exchanges between candidates, giving voters an opportunity to assess their competing proposals.
“Democracy should support a competition of ideas, not just a show of campaign promises and political support. In 2023, you chose not to take part in a presidential debate with your rivals.”
During the previous election campaign, Tinubu’s team defended his absence from debate and town hall events organised by broadcasters. In a statement issued on 25 November 2022, campaign spokesman Bayo Onanuga cited scheduling pressures and the absence of a common platform acceptable to all parties and candidates.
Onanuga said Tinubu was explaining his programmes through meetings with different sectors and would continue those engagements before the 2023 election.
In his latest appeal, Utomi challenged the president to explain his administration’s decisions and future plans directly before the electorate.
“I hope you take a moment to think about whether that was the right choice. What could possibly be scary about facing the Nigerian people and explaining your actions, your plans, and your hopes for the nation?”
He also argued that Tinubu’s political experience and speaking ability should encourage him to participate.
“You are, after all, a seasoned politician and a skilled speaker. The podium should be a chance, not something to fear.”
Utomi drew on the history of presidential debates in the United States, saying such encounters allowed citizens to compare candidates’ arguments and reach their own conclusions.
“Nigerians deserve nothing less. Think about the United States, a country whose democratic system has shaped ours. From Jimmy Carter in the 1970s to Donald Trump in recent times, American presidential candidates have kept using the same stage, faced tough questions, debated each other's plans, and let people hear, think about, and decide for themselves.”
He concluded by asking Tinubu to give Nigerians the opportunity to hear him debate those seeking the same office.
“Nigerians have endured enough political theatre. Let them hear the arguments.
“Let them witness the contest of ideas. Let them form their own opinion. The Nigerian people should get to hear your views during the presidential debate.”