Prominent political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, has revealed that he is considering leaving Nigeria, citing persistent attempts by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to suppress his voice and political activities.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Utomi expressed deep frustration over what he described as ongoing efforts to silence him due to his criticisms of the government.
“I’m getting fed up with all of this. If they are ready to shut my voice, I am ready to go to Ghana or anywhere else and live peacefully,” Utomi stated.
Utomi’s comments come amid fresh legal action by the Department of State Services (DSS), which filed an application before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to block Utomi and his associates from holding public gatherings related to a controversial “shadow government” initiative.
Filed through Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), the DSS application urges Justice James Omotosho to issue an interlocutory injunction preventing Utomi from engaging in any rallies, protests, public lectures, or media activities regarding the case.
According to the DSS, the activities allegedly planned by Utomi upon his return to Nigeria on June 6, including road shows and interviews, represent a serious threat to public order.
The security agency had previously brought Utomi before the court in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, accusing him of attempting to create a parallel or “shadow government”, an act the DSS argues is unconstitutional. The court has scheduled the hearing for June 25.
In its latest motion, the DSS claimed that if Utomi is not restrained, his activities would “constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Reacting to the DSS action, Utomi confirmed that a team of lawyers led by Mike Ozekhome (SAN) had filed a formal defence on his behalf.
The former presidential hopeful insisted his actions are rooted in patriotic intent, not subversion. He emphasized his desire to create a better future for Nigeria’s youth — despite the backlash.
“I will retire next year and leave them to do whatever they want to do. I’m looking for a better country for the next generation. But politicians make it look like dissenting comments,” he said.
He added: “I want to inspire the next generation to be free and make progress. It is now up to them. It is up to the current generation to realise that there are people who don’t want their country to grow.”
