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Political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what he described as a contradiction between the government’s claims about Nigeria’s economic challenges and the lavish lifestyles of public officials.
Utomi said it was inconsistent for the government to describe Nigeria as a poor country while ministers and other public office holders reportedly moved around in expensive vehicles, including Maybachs, G-Wagons and Rolls-Royces, and used private jets for official and personal travel.
He made the remarks in a post on his X account on Tuesday, arguing that the conduct of those in government should reflect the economic realities they present to Nigerians.
“You cannot stand before the world and declare that Nigeria is poor, then turn around and parade your ministers in million-dollar Maybachs, G-Wagons and Rolls-Royces, while public officials fly around in private jets,” he said.
Utomi argued that the government’s public message on the economy was undermined by the spending habits and lifestyles of those entrusted with public resources.
“Your optics contradict your narrative, your lifestyle contradicts your statistics,” he added.
The professor said if Nigeria was genuinely facing the level of economic hardship often described by government officials, the executive and legislature should demonstrate greater restraint in their use of public funds and management of national resources.
He maintained that public office should not be treated as an opportunity for personal luxury, particularly when citizens are struggling with the cost of living.
“The APC needs to understand that public office is not a licence for extravagance. If citizens must endure economic hardship, those entrusted with their taxes must also demonstrate restraint,” he said.
Utomi further argued that public officials should lead by example rather than maintain lifestyles that appear disconnected from the financial difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.
“You cannot preach poverty to the people while practising luxury with their money. It makes no sense. If anything, it only exposes the sheer disregard for the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
