Utomi argued that former United States presidents, whose democratic system shaped ours, debated their opponents.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former presidential candidate and Nigerian professor of political economy, Pat Utomi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to participate in a presidential debate with his opponents ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He issued the challenge to the incumbent president—who is the flag-bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—on Friday via a post shared on his official X page.
According to the final list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 12 September 2026, 18 candidates have been cleared to contest Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Political commentators, however, consider the incumbent, President Tinubu, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, and his NDC counterpart, Peter Obi, to be the frontrunners in the poll.
Meanwhile, during the 2019 presidential debate, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari did not participate, and his party’s candidate in 2023, Tinubu, followed in his footsteps four years later.
Speaking ahead of the 2027 presidential debate, Utomi noted that a face-off between Tinubu and the other presidential candidates is long overdue.
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While noting that American presidents—whose democratic system he claimed shaped Nigeria’s—debated their opponents, the professor urged the incumbent to allow Nigerians to “witness the contest of ideas” and “form their own opinion”.
Taking to his verified handle, Utomi wrote: “Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a presidential debate between you and your opponents is long overdue.
”Nigerians deserve nothing less. Think about the United States, a country whose democratic system has shaped ours. From Jimmy Carter in the 1970s to Donald Trump in recent times, American presidential candidates have consistently shared the same stage, faced tough questions, debated each other’s plans, and allowed people to hear, think about, and decide for themselves.
”Democracy should support a competition of ideas, not just a show of campaign promises and political support. In 2023, you chose not to take part in a presidential debate with your rivals.
”I hope you take a moment to think about whether that was the right choice. What could possibly be daunting about facing the Nigerian people and explaining your actions, your plans, and your hopes for the nation?
”You are, after all, a seasoned politician and a skilled speaker. The podium should be an opportunity, not something to fear.
”Nigerians have endured enough political theatre. Let them hear the arguments. Let them witness the contest of ideas. Let them form their own opinion. The Nigerian people deserve to hear your views during the presidential debate.”
