By John Ogunsemore
A Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi said he is past the stage of running for public office or gunning for government appointment or contract.
Utomi, 69, stated this as a guest on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Friday.
He said, “Let me state clearly: I will not run for public office. I will not accept an appointment, contract by any government in Nigeria. My only concern is the well-being of the next generation.
“I have lived my life decently without government money or stealing anybody’s thing. I want to take that away from people who talk nonsense like, ‘Oh, he is looking for contract.”
In August 2024, Utomi and former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun publicly disagreed over a purported breach of contract on an Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) land.
Utomi claimed that he was a victim of a violation of contractual agreements which cost him millions and a business partnership because of Amosun’s high-handedness but the ex-governor refuted the claim, saying Utomi was suffering from an “entitlement mentality”.