By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Political economist and public affairs commentator, Prof. Pat Utomi, has criticised successive administrations in Delta State over what he described as the state’s poor developmental performance, contrasting it with the visible progress in Akwa Ibom State.
Utomi, who made the remarks in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, said a comparative assessment of the two states exposed what he considered the glaring development gap between Delta and Akwa Ibom.
The professor, who disclosed that he was in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said he was watching live coverage of a reception organised by the Isoko people in honour of the Delta State Governor, observing that the contrast between the two states was particularly striking.
According to him, the Isoko people only needed to organise a one-day tour of Akwa Ibom State for their youths to appreciate the difference in development and demand better governance in Delta.
“All the Isoko people need to do is fill a few buses with their youth and have them tour Akwa Ibom for one day. I can assure you they will chase out those who govern Delta,” he declared.
Utomi also criticised the administration of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, whom he said left behind a poor road infrastructure record despite being celebrated as the state’s ‘Road Master’.
He equally faulted the performance of the incumbent administration, arguing that the state continued to celebrate its leaders as development champions despite what he described as the absence of meaningful improvements in critical infrastructure.
To illustrate his concerns, Utomi cited the deplorable condition of the road leading to his residence, located less than 10 minutes from the Asaba Airport.
He lamented that residents had, for the past three Christmas celebrations, resorted to contributing money among themselves to spread laterite on the road to make it accessible to motorists.
The political economist further expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating state of education in Delta, alleging that many young people had resorted to drug abuse and the illegal sale of other people’s land.
He questioned the basis for celebrating political leaders whose administrations, in his assessment, had failed to deliver the expected dividends of democracy.
Taking his criticism beyond Delta State, Utomi described what he called the tendency of Nigerians, particularly members of the middle class and elite, to celebrate political leaders despite their perceived failures and poor governance.
“Backwardness has to be a mental health problem,” he declared, calling for an investigation into the psychology of sycophancy and why people seemingly become subservient to leaders who abuse their trust.
He likened the attitude to the Stockholm syndrome, where people develop positive feelings towards those who hold power over or mistreat them, arguing that such a mentality encourages political complacency and undermines accountability.
Utomi’s comments have once again drawn attention to the need for citizens to assess public office holders based on tangible development outcomes rather than political loyalty, praise-singing or elaborate public receptions.
