Opposition Parties Criticized for Inaction Amid Economic Hardship – Pat Utomi
Prominent political economist Professor Pat Utomi has criticized opposition political parties in Nigeria, accusing them of failing to provide effective leadership amidst the worsening economic hardship in the country. Utomi expressed disappointment with the lack of action from opposition parties and highlighted the absence of their participation in leading protests.
In a post shared on his social media handle, Utomi lamented the role reversal where labour unions have taken the forefront in organizing protests, attributing this shift to the failure of political parties to assert their influence. He contrasted this situation with other countries where opposition parties typically lead protests, emphasizing the importance of building strong and proactive political parties.
“The protests have come and gone. Power says they are political. What did they expect them to be, apolitical. Labour Unions are acting because political parties are failing. Elsewhere opposition parties lead the protests. This is why the building of real parties is imperative,” Utomi stated.
The remarks from Utomi come in the wake of recent protests organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other related unions to highlight issues such as the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and general hardship faced by citizens. The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the government, demanding action on agreements reached following the removal of fuel subsidy.
Utomi’s critique underscores the need for effective political leadership and proactive engagement from opposition parties in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria.
