Political economist and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Pat Utomi, has faulted members of the National Assembly over their role in the recent amendment of the Electoral Act, warning that their actions could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
The revised Electoral Bill, passed by the National Assembly last month and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, has sparked criticism from several political parties calling for an immediate review.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Monday, Utomi accused federal lawmakers of putting personal political interests ahead of national priorities.
“What we have has become a sham National Assembly,” he said. “In their bid to remain in power, they risk losing legitimacy. The entire system could lose legitimacy, and that path invites anarchy.”
He warned that actions perceived as self-serving could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and destabilise the country.
“They need to safeguard both themselves and the system,” Utomi added. “If they pay dearly for this, it could mean the country pays dearly as well — we could lose our democracy and our ability to maintain law, order, good governance, and progress.”
Utomi also raised concerns about what he described as political maneuvering between the Senate and the presidency, cautioning that such dynamics could push Nigeria in a dangerous direction. He urged that the law be returned to the National Assembly for reconsideration.
Emphasising the responsibility of elected officials, Utomi said lawmakers have a fiduciary duty to represent the will of the people rather than pursue narrow interests. He drew parallels with the United States, where members of the House of Representatives face elections every two years to maintain accountability, stressing that legislators must remain closely aligned with public expectations.