The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized renowned economist and political commentator Professor Pat Utomi for drawing a controversial comparison between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Adolf Hitler.
The party described Utomi’s statement as reckless, inflammatory, and grossly inappropriate.
In an official statement released by Felix Morka, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, the ruling party condemned Utomi’s comments, asserting that equating Nigeria’s democratic climate under Tinubu with the fascist rule of Nazi Germany was not only historically inaccurate but deeply offensive.
APC: Utomi’s Remarks Are Unjustifiable and Sensational
According to the APC, Utomi’s controversial comparison lacks logic and respect for Nigeria’s evolving democracy. Morka emphasized that Utomi, a long-time beneficiary of Nigeria’s democratic freedoms, continues to express his views freely without interference—a sign, he argued, of the Tinubu administration’s tolerance for dissent.
“Utomi has always been a symbol of freedom—freedom of expression, of thought, and association. He continues to speak and act without constraint in a country where opposition voices are not suppressed,” the statement read.
Morka went on to ridicule Utomi’s political track record, claiming his frequent but unsuccessful ventures into mega coalitions and political third forces have undermined his credibility.
Utomi’s ‘Shadow Government’ Declaration: Extreme but Permissible
Morka further dismissed Utomi’s recent announcement of a shadow government, calling it an “extreme exercise of free speech” within a functioning presidential democracy. He noted that the government has taken no action against Utomi despite the controversial move—a clear indication, he claimed, of the administration’s commitment to democratic norms.
“To suggest that President Tinubu’s government is muzzling the opposition is simply baseless. Utomi’s freedom to announce a parallel government without any consequence is proof of our democratic maturity,” he added.
APC Responds to Fuel Subsidy Allegations
On Utomi’s criticism of the fuel subsidy removal policy, the APC clarified that ending fuel subsidies was a shared campaign promise of all major presidential contenders, including Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (Labour Party). The party accused Utomi of revisionism and political opportunism for framing the policy as exclusive to Tinubu’s agenda.
“Utomi’s assertion that Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal is propaganda ignores the fact that both Atiku and Obi equally campaigned to end the subsidy regime. His criticism is a distortion of well-documented facts,” the party noted.
APC: Utomi’s Political Frustration Is Evident
The APC also mocked Utomi’s political journey, pointing to his failed 2019 APC gubernatorial bid in Delta State, his role in Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, and a string of unsuccessful attempts to create alternative political coalitions. The party claimed these setbacks have left the professor disoriented and bitter, contributing to what it described as a decline in his political judgment.
“Utomi’s recent outbursts are not rooted in logic or patriotism, but in personal frustration and political irrelevance,” Morka said.
APC: Internal Opposition Issues Not Our Responsibility
Lastly, the APC rejected Utomi’s claim that the ruling party is obstructing opposition unity, stating bluntly that it is not the APC’s duty to fix the internal crises plaguing opposition parties. The statement stressed that parties must take responsibility for their own cohesion and direction.
