Professor Pat Utomi, a member of the Movement for Credible Elections, has called for criminal sanctions, including imprisonment, for politicians who use public resources to finance election campaigns.
Utomi made the call during an interview with ARISE News, where he examined Nigeria’s electoral system and the challenges opposition political parties could face ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The political economist argued that control of state resources has become a significant advantage for political parties in Nigeria, particularly those already in government.
According to him, parties without access to public resources often face difficulties competing on an equal footing during elections.
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Utomi said public funds should not be diverted towards securing political power and called for those involved in such practices to face criminal consequences.
“One day I would like to see politicians go to jail for spending public money to run for office,” Utomi said.
He described the alleged diversion of public resources for political campaigns as “thievery” and “criminality,” arguing that government funds belong to the people and should be used for public purposes.
“It’s thievery, it is. Criminality, but they do it,” he said.
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Opposition Parties Face Major Challenge
Utomi also highlighted the difficulty opposition parties face in deploying polling agents to voting locations across the country.
He argued that parties unable to provide agents across polling units could find it difficult to independently verify proceedings and results in areas where they have no representatives.
“A party that can’t have agents in all of the polling stations in the country is vulnerable to having results written where they are not present,” he said.
He, however, said opposition groups could overcome some of these challenges through collaboration and the sharing of resources.
Utomi stressed that voter awareness would also be critical, urging Nigerians to understand the importance of their votes and participate actively in the electoral process.
He argued that a well-informed electorate could play a significant role in protecting the integrity of elections.
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“If people become aware that their votes can count and they come out and vote, it’s not a 300,000 Nigerian police force that can prevent the people’s will from taking place,” he said.
Utomi Wants Technology Deployed at Polling Units
The political economist also called for greater use of technology to strengthen election monitoring and transparency.
He advocated the deployment of body cameras and live-streaming technology at polling units, saying election monitoring should not depend exclusively on political party agents.
“The election should be technologised; body cams, live streaming from every polling booth in the country,” Utomi said.
He argued that technology could allow citizens and independent observers to monitor proceedings more directly and could help reduce disputes over what happens at polling units.
Utomi also criticised restrictions that, in his view, could prevent Nigerians from using technological devices to document electoral proceedings.
“If INEC tells us that people can’t bring things to make elections transparent, then they are criminals who want the elections not to be transparent,” he said.
His comments come amid growing discussions over electoral transparency, campaign financing, technology and the ability of opposition parties to effectively monitor the 2027 elections.
The Movement for Credible Elections has also been involved in discussions with opposition parties as political groups prepare for the next general elections.
With the 2027 elections approaching, debates over the use of public resources, election monitoring and the role of technology are expected to remain prominent among political parties, civil society organisations and other electoral stakeholders.
