Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has argued that individuals over the age of 70 should not seek political office in Nigeria.
Utomi made the statement in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, citing past instances where leaders’ ill health led to governance crises.
“Impunity and disregard of decent order has become our way. When Yar’Adua was dying people lied and governed in his name. They did the same with Buhari. They are doing so again. This is high treason. This is why I say nobody over 70 should run for office. I am 70 years old,” he wrote.
Utomi, who recently called for renewed efforts to instill democratic values in young Nigerians, stressed that civic education remains critical to sustaining democracy and promoting national development.
His remarks add to ongoing debates about leadership, generational change, and the future of Nigeria’s political system ahead of the 2027 elections.
