Club of capture” looking for Buhari, Osinbajo’s replacement

A renowned political economist, Prof . Pat Utomi yesterday said that while President Muhammadu is away on medical vacation, “club of capture” is seeking to replace him and his vice.

Utomi noted that members of the club, who are not more than 60 persons, had been determining Nigeria’s fortunes for the past 51 years, adding that elections into public offices were merely ceremonial.

Utomi said Nigerians should hold those few power brokers responsible for its woes.

Utomi, a former Presidential aspirant, spoke on the topic, “Healing a bleeding nation,” in Lagos during a public lecture organised by the Evangelical Christian Union Alumni Fellowship.

The lecture was held to raise awareness on the need to elect people of integrity ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Utomi ’s lecture also addressed the causes of Nigeria’s underdevelopment, institutional failures and how a few people ran the country aground for many years.

He said, “Today’s politicians are mentally ill-equipped. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was surrounded by intellectuals and professors. These days, the opposite is the case. Pimps accompany our politicians. This ‘class of capture’ has inflicted an anti-intellectual culture on the country.

 “The club of capture can be grouped into three categories. The first is the moderniser wannabes. The value system of this category sabotaged their desire.

“The second are the narcissistic influencers, who are so consumed by their self – love.

“These people are contented with whoever is in power so far they can appoint the oil minister and others. The last are the entitlement – minded ones. Nigeria has become the entitlement of the last category.

“When those in the club of capture lose legitimacy, they look for ways to circumnavigate. They look for weak persons to push into positions of authorities so they don ’t lose their grip on power.

“Nigeria has suffered from power capture for 51 years. Less than 60 persons have been deciding our fortunes for the past 51 years.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari travelled abroad for medical vacation, they (club of capture ) gathered people together to decide who would be president and vice- president. There has never really been an election in Nigeria. But there is hope for Nigeria.”