Renowned political economist and former presidential candidate Prof. Pat Utomi has sharply criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration over the ostentatious lifestyles of public officials amid worsening economic conditions across the country.
Speaking in a detailed public statement issued via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday morning, November 3, 2026, Prof. Utomi argued that the visible display of luxury by government officeholders fundamentally undermines the administration’s appeals to citizens to endure structural fiscal reforms and tightening measures.
Highlighting the stark disconnect between official pronouncements regarding Nigeria’s fiscal standing and the personal conduct of public officeholders, Utomi noted that it remains contradictory for government officials to describe the nation as impoverished while simultaneously showcasing extreme affluence.
He emphasized that one cannot stand before the world to declare that Nigeria is poor, only to parade ministers in million-dollar Maybachs, G-Wagons, and Rolls-Royces while public officials commute in private jets. In his words, the government’s optics directly contradict its narrative, just as its leaders’ lifestyles contradict their economic statistics.
Utomi stressed that public office must not be treated as a license for extravagance, asserting that executive and legislative appointees have a fundamental duty to demonstrate fiscal restraint when ordinary citizens face severe economic distress.
Expanding on the broader impact of government spending, the political economist pointed out a severe mismatch in spending priorities across the public sector.
He condemned recent displays of political luxury, including the distribution of high-end sports utility vehicles to political coordinators, contrasting such expenditures with the modest compensation provided to front-line civil servants and military personnel tasked with national defense.
Utomi warned that asking ordinary Nigerians to tighten their belts while political elites indulge in conspicuous consumption systematically erodes public morale and trust in democratic governance.
The critique adds to growing opposition reactions regarding public expenditure and accountability. Addressing reporters in Abuja, African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Publicity Secretary Mallam Mabel Abdullahi voiced similar concerns over recent political fleet distributions, demanding full disclosure on the funding sources behind high-value vehicle acquisitions for political mobilization.
As of Tuesday afternoon, representatives from the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and spokespersons for the Presidency have not issued an official response to Prof. Utomi’s latest remarks.
