- Pat Utomi said Nigeria could have taken a different path if Yar’Adua had lived.
- He described the late president as a committed patriot
- Utomi also recalled Yar’Adua’s attempt to bring him into government
Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has said Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory could have been different if former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had survived his illness and completed his tenure.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Utomi made the observation during an interview on Csuite Cafe, where he described the late president as a patriotic leader who was genuinely committed to improving the country.
Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, after serving as president for roughly three years. His then Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan, succeeded him.
Recalling his relationship with the former president, Utomi said Yar’Adua once invited him to the Presidential Villa in an attempt to persuade him to join his cabinet as a minister.
Utomi said he declined the offer because he believed he could contribute more effectively by remaining outside government and providing independent advice.
According to him, Yar’Adua disagreed with his position and argued that he would have a greater opportunity to influence government decisions from within the administration.
Utomi described Yar’Adua as a leader who, despite possible mistakes, was sincerely interested in moving Nigeria forward.
He recalled that their discussion took place on a Friday while Yar’Adua was meeting with members of his economic team.
The professor said the former president spent several minutes making a case for his involvement in government. However, Utomi maintained that occupying a government position was not his primary concern because he was more interested in achieving tangible results.
He explained that he had reservations about joining the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration but remained willing to provide advice whenever it was needed.
Utomi said Yar’Adua responded that his influence could be greater if he worked from within government rather than offering suggestions from outside.
The professor later told the former president that joining the cabinet would be complicated because he had already assembled what he referred to as a “shadow government” consisting of people he believed could contribute to national development.
According to Utomi, Yar’Adua offered to meet the members of the group and persuade them to join his administration so they could collectively work toward improving the country.
Utomi said he eventually proposed an alternative by compiling the names of seven Nigerians whom he believed had the experience and ability to make a positive contribution to the government.
He said the list was given to Stephen Oronsaye, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with instructions to deliver it to Yar’Adua.
However, Utomi said Yar’Adua became seriously ill around that period and travelled abroad for medical treatment, leaving the fate of the list uncertain.
The professor recalled that he was later informed that Yar’Adua might never have received the names and could have died believing that Utomi had deliberately rejected his invitation.
Utomi said the episode reflected the kind of leadership spirit he believed Nigeria urgently needed, describing Yar’Adua as a president who was willing to engage capable Nigerians in the effort to develop the country.
