Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has warned that attempts to manipulate the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections could trigger a severe national crisis, including a possible civil war.
Utomi raised the alarm after an informal town hall meeting in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he said participants expressed growing concerns about electoral integrity and what they perceived as some public officials’ confidence that the outcome of the 2027 elections was already predetermined.
In a post on X on Sunday, the political economist disclosed that he attended a lunch meeting to which Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was invited.
According to Utomi, what was expected to be a lunch gathering turned into an extensive discussion about Nigeria’s political challenges, with participants pressing for ways to prevent electoral malpractice.
He said many of the questions centred on concerns that some public officials appeared confident that the results of the next presidential election were already within their control.
“I am in the middle of an accidental town hall meeting in Manchester in the UK. I came to a lunch to which Peter Obi was invited. I found food I looked forward to deferred for questions on the trouble with Nigeria,” Utomi wrote.
The professor added that participants were eager to explore ways to resist alleged attempts to undermine the electoral process.
“They were energised to ask for how they could fight rigging,” he stated.
Utomi subsequently warned that any attempt to subvert the will of Nigerian voters in 2027 could have grave consequences for national stability.
“The determination to do whatever will prevent election malpractice suggests we may see a civil war if power tries to muscle the will of the people this time,” he said.
His comments come amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures and political groups positioning themselves for the contest.
Utomi’s Support for Obi
Utomi has publicly declared support for Obi’s presidential ambition in 2027 but has drawn a clear distinction between backing the former Anambra State governor for president and supporting him as another candidate’s running mate.
In an earlier post on X, Utomi said he would withdraw his support if Obi accepted a vice-presidential position.
“Peter Obi has my support for the presidency. But my position is clear, I am not supporting the idea of Peter Obi becoming somebody else’s Vice President. The day Peter Obi accepts a Vice Presidential position, I will walk away from his corner,” he said.
Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party before his subsequent political realignment.
Utomi Criticises Tinubu’s Economic Policies
Beyond electoral concerns, Utomi has also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over Nigeria’s economic difficulties, particularly the high cost of petrol and low wages.
The professor has argued that rising living costs and inadequate earnings have intensified the financial pressure on households across the country.
His latest warning places electoral credibility and the peaceful transfer of political power at the centre of the debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
