Nigeria in free fall if NBA fails to compel Amupitan’s resignation…Utomi

• Likens him to Joseph Stalin, Soviet Union leader,

BY BONNY AMADI

Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prevail on Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to prevent the “free fall” of Nigeria.

In a series of posts shared on X on Monday, Utomi said religious leaders, traditional rulers and senior lawyers in the country must redeem themselves and speak the truth.

He said INEC, led by Amupitan, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is showing some similarities with late Joseph Stalin, a Soviet Union leader, who was widely known for dictatorial tendencies.

Making reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Utomi said the “stone of love of money” that makes lawyers and senior judges to sacrifice the country’s future “by unjust deeds regarding electoral laws and the rule of law be rolled away.”

Those who see truth and cloak themselves in the garb of silence, including religious leaders, senior lawyers, and traditional rulers, will someday dance naked in the marketplace. Speak now and redeem yourselves or forever live with the shame,” he wrote.

“If the NBA cannot prevail on Amupitan to resign, the fall of Nigeria through institutional and moral safety nets has become a free fall.

“History will hold all Lawyers and Amupitan accountable in a way that will embarrass the children of their children.

“May the stone of love of money which makes senior lawyers and some judges sacrifice the future of Nigeria and their own children by unjust deeds regarding electoral laws and the rule of law be rolled away.”

Utomi’s comments appear to be a veiled response to the recent decision of INEC to derecognise the factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.

The commission said it took the decision following its review of the court of appeal judgement on the party’s leadership crisis.

But the Mark-led faction rejected INEC’s interpretation of the appellate court’s ruling, accusing the electoral body of acting under external pressure.

Those who see truth and cloak themselves in the garb of silence, including religious leaders, senior lawyers, and traditional rulers, will someday dance naked in the marketplace. Speak now and redeem yourselves or forever live with the shame,” he wrote.

“If the NBA cannot prevail on Amupitan to resign, the fall of Nigeria through institutional and moral safety nets has become a free fall.

“History will hold all Lawyers and Amupitan accountable in a way that will embarrass the children of their children.

“May the stone of love of money which makes senior lawyers and some judges sacrifice the future of Nigeria and their own children by unjust deeds regarding electoral laws and the rule of law be rolled away.”

Utomi’s comments appear to be a veiled response to the recent decision of INEC to derecognise the factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.