By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Political economist and convener of The Big Tent, Pat Utomi, has unveiled plans to begin a marketplace of ideas initiative aimed at shaping Nigeria’s political agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Utomi said the initiative would bring together candidates whose capacity, character and commitment to implementation align with the policy direction being developed by the group.
In a statement published on his X handle on Saturday, Utomi disclosed that The Big Tent had spent months developing a manifesto designed to promote rational public discourse and help Nigerians make informed decisions about their next leaders.
He explained that the manifesto would be presented to candidates identified as having the capacity and discipline to implement its proposals, adding that he had already held discussions with some of them.
According to him, the manifesto is supported by a roadmap, a checklist of values to ensure faithful implementation of policies, and a catalogue of citizens’ concerns to guide public dialogue.
“From tomorrow we will begin the marketplace of ideas agenda setting to which we invite candidates we have had dialogue and congruence on policy thrust to join in agenda setting,” he said.
Utomi listed education, healthcare, agriculture, electricity, affordable petrol and manufacturing-driven job creation among the major issues the initiative intends to address.
He said education and healthcare were critical to national growth and development, while agricultural reforms would strengthen food security and boost production value chains across the country.
On energy, Utomi highlighted the need to ensure affordable petrol without the corruption associated with fuel subsidy arrangements. He also advocated manufacturing-led employment based on the comparative advantages and factor endowments of Nigeria’s six geo-economic zones.
The economist identified corruption as a major obstacle to national development, arguing that it had contributed to widespread poverty, weakened the country’s capacity to tackle insecurity and undermined critical institutions, including the judiciary.
He also raised concerns about the growing threat of drug abuse among young Nigerians, warning that it was destroying the future of children, inflicting suffering on families and fuelling criminal activities.
Utomi further drew attention to the dangers posed by fake drugs, describing the problem as another source of suffering and preventable deaths among vulnerable Nigerians.
He said The Big Tent had developed practical, implementation-ready plans to address the identified challenges, adding that the proposals were designed to be incorporated into the government’s budgeting process.
The convener also criticised the Federal Government’s tax reforms, arguing that the group favoured a supply-side approach to taxation as a tool for economic development.
He equally faulted what he described as the Tinubu administration’s “tax, borrow and spend profligacy,” signalling a disagreement with the government’s approach to revenue generation, borrowing and public expenditure.
Utomi’s initiative is expected to provide a platform for policy discussions with politically aligned candidates, with the stated objective of placing practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges at the centre of the national political conversation.
