Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Nigeria feels like purgatory, no light, food is low, pocket is dry: Pat Utomi

“Food is low and pocket dry.”

• February 17, 2024
Pat Utomi
Pat Utomi

Professor of political economy and former presidential aspirant under the Labour Party, Pat Utomi, has likened the nationwide hardship that currently plagues the country to being in purgatory. 

“You pinch yourself to be sure you are alive and not in Purgatory,” Mr Utomi wrote on his X account, lamenting the lack of basic amenities that characterises the steady slide of millions of Nigerians into hunger and abject poverty. 

Recent heat waves across the country and worsening epileptic power supply, according to Mr Utomi, continue to make life a living hell for citizens. 

“The heat comes like parcel from Hell. There is No Power Always. Generator 1 and 2 have broken down so you cannot also pump water. Food is low and pocket dry. What do you deliberately sacrifice for Lent,” he added. 

Mr Utomi is the latest respected figure to lend his voice to the growing public outrage and condemnation of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Pope Leo XIV

Faith

Adenocarcinoma: Vatican gives update on Pope’s recovery after surgery

According to the Vatican, the Pope’s results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally.

Governor Uba Sani

Heading 2

2027: Gov Sani rallies support for Tinubu

Mr Sani charged all political appointees to close ranks for the success of the APC.

Dangote refinery

Economy

Dangote Refinery IPO: Small investors take centre stage as public offering nears close

Dangote encouraged prospective shareholders to adopt a long-term investment perspective

police

States

Katsina police secure conviction of 18 drug offenders

Mr Umar-Fage reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against illicit drugs.

UNDP

Heading 1

UNDP urges FG to implement disability-inclusive climate actions 

Mr Okafor said PWDs faced additional risks from climate change.