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Is Life Improving for Nigerians, According to Utomi's Assessment?

Under the current administration, prominent Labour Party leader, Patrick Utomi, asserts that the populace of Nigeria is enduring more hardship compared to the period preceding the last election.

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Nigerian Chieftain, Utomi, Slams Current Administration, Citing Suffering Worse Than Before Last Election

Is Life Improving for Nigerians, According to Utomi's Assessment?

According to our sources, Professor of Political Economics, Patrick Utomi, has lashed out at the current administration, claiming that Nigerians are experiencing more hardship than before the last vote.

Professor Utomi's remark comes in response to a statement made by the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina. At a recent event, Adesina asserted that Nigerians are poorer under the current leadership than they were back in 1960.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Utomi expressed his discontent, stating, "We owe Adesina our gratitude for reminding us that our people once had a better life in 1960, as per the current GDP per capita. The crucial query in a democratic society is, are you better off than at the last election? Sadly, our children understand more misery than their grandparents did."

Utomi criticized the administration's mishandling of public funds, as the citizens fall deeper into poverty. He pointed out that Adesina did not shame Nigeria by presenting the data.

Utomi continued his critique by highlighting the extravagant lifestyles of politicians while the common folk endure deplorable conditions. He added that the political class's inability to focus on development has fostered ethnic politicking.

“Politicians act with swagger, squandering public funds while poverty takes hold of the land. Meanwhile, a silent civil war, labeled as banditry, dehumanizes the people. It's absurd that they call truth a marketing downgrade,” he stated.

Between 1960 and now, there was an oil boom, yet the truth is being dismissed as demarketing.

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Enrichment Data: ### Overall:Akinwumi Adesina's Claim and ResponsesAfDB President's Position: Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing president of the African Development Bank, argued that Nigerians are worse off today than in 1960, citing GDP per capita figures of $1,847 (1960) versus $824 (current)[5]. His analysis emphasized inflation, exchange rates, and structural economic flaws[3][5].

Presidency's Rebuttal: The Nigerian presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, rejected Adesina's claims as factually flawed, stating 1960 GDP per capita was $93 (not $1,847) for a population of 44.9 million[4][5].Onanuga criticized GDP per capita as a narrow metric, highlighting unaccounted factors like informal economies and improved access to healthcare, education, and transportation[1][5].

Analyst Perspective: Economist Paul Alaje defended Adesina, asserting his comparison incorporated dollar relativity, inflation, and poverty levels, which GDP alone omits[3]. Alaje noted that absolute figures (e.g., nominal GDP) fail to reflect purchasing power or living standards[3].

Patrick Utomi’s Response: The provided search results do not include comments from political economist Patrick Utomi. The available responses are limited to the presidency and economic analysts.

Conclusion: Adesina's claim hinges on macroeconomic indicators beyond nominal GDP, but the presidency disputes his baseline figures. The debate underscores differing methodologies: Adesina emphasizes relative economic conditions, while the government prioritizes broader quality-of-life metrics[1][3][5]. Utomi's stance remains unaddressed in the available sources.

  1. Upon hearing Adesina's statement, President of the African Development Bank, Utomi criticized the administration's handling of the economy, asserting that Nigerians are indeed facing more hardship than before the last election.
  2. Utomi went as far as to compare the current presidency to the past, stating that Nigerians were once better off in 1960, citing GDP per capita figures, despite the oil boom that has occurred since then.
  3. In a tweet, Utomi dismissed the government's propaganda, pointing out that the economic outlook for ordinary Nigerians is far from favorable.
  4. Utomi also accused politicians of squandering public funds, while the common folk endure deplorable conditions, and of fostering ethnic politicking to distract from their failures in policy-and-legislation.
  5. In a related article titled "You Have a Weak Memory of History - Tinubu's Aide Tells Adesina", Tinubu's aide defended the presidency's position against Adesina's claim, echoing Utomi's sentiment that focusing on GDP as a measure for living standards was flawed.
  6. Another article highlighted Sani's warning to the presidency not to disregard Adesina's analysis, recognizing that his economic outlook for Nigeria was crucial.
  7. As Utomi's comments point out, the current state of the Nigerian presidency, with its lack of focus on development and continued mishandling of public funds, leaves many of Naija's citizens questioning if the outlook will ever improve.
Under the Present Government, renowned Labour Party Leader, Patrick Utomi, claims citizens of Nigeria are experiencing greater hardships compared to prior to the recent elections.
Under the current government, a prominent member of the Labour Party, Patrick Utomi, asserts that the general populace is enduring harder conditions compared to the period preceding the last election.
Under the present administration, a key figure from the Labour Party, Patrick Utomi, claims that Nigerians are enduring harder conditions compared to the period preceding the last election.

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