A Self-Imposed Limit from a Veteran Political Economist
In a blunt social media post that has reignited debate about gerontocracy in Nigerian politics, Professor Pat Utomi has declared that no one above the age of 70 should seek political office in the country. The professor of political economy made the statement on his verified X handle, grounding his argument in recent political history rather than abstract theory.
Utomi, who noted that he himself has just turned 70, did not exempt himself from the rule he proposes. His intervention comes at a moment when questions about the fitness and transparency of aging leaders are once again in the public conversation.
The Core of the Argument: Impunity and Deception
Utomi’s reasoning centers on what he describes as a pattern of impunity and disregard for decent order. He pointed to two specific episodes to illustrate his concern. The first was the period when President Umaru Yar’Adua was gravely ill; Utomi alleged that people lied and governed in his name while he was incapacitated. The second was the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, where he claims a similar dynamic played out. “They are doing so again,” Utomi wrote, calling such behavior “high treason.”
For Utomi, the solution is a straightforward age limit: nobody over 70 should be eligible to run. The argument is that older leaders, whether due to health vulnerabilities or the concentration of power in a small, aging circle, create conditions where governance can be usurped by unelected aides and associates.
Context: A Broader Call for Democratic Renewal
This is not the first time Utomi has pushed for a generational shift in Nigerian politics. He has previously called for renewed efforts to instill democratic values in young Nigerians, arguing that civic education is critical to sustaining democracy and promoting national development. His latest statement can be seen as a practical extension of that philosophy: if younger citizens are to take democracy seriously, they must see pathways to leadership that are not blocked by an entrenched older generation.
The proposal raises practical questions that the source material does not address—such as whether a constitutional amendment would be required, or how such a rule would interact with existing age requirements for offices like the presidency (which currently sets a minimum age of 35, but no maximum). What is clear is that Utomi is framing the issue as one of systemic integrity rather than personal ambition.
Why This Matters Now
Nigeria’s political class has long been dominated by figures in their 70s and 80s. The current president, Bola Tinubu, was 72 when he took office in 2023. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, is 62. The average age of senators is frequently cited as being well above 60. Utomi’s argument taps into a growing frustration among younger Nigerians who feel locked out of political power despite making up the majority of the electorate.
By placing himself within the group he would bar from office, Utomi adds a layer of personal credibility to his stance. He is not arguing from the outside; he is arguing from within the demographic he seeks to regulate.
Looking Ahead
The debate over age limits in politics is unlikely to be settled by a single social media post. However, Utomi’s intervention—coming from a respected academic and public intellectual with decades of engagement in Nigerian political economy—gives the conversation a specific, memorable anchor. Whether it leads to legislative action or remains a talking point, it underscores a persistent tension in Nigerian democracy: the gap between the age of its leaders and the aspirations of its youth.
Source: Nobody above 70 years should run for political office – Pat Utomi
