Professor of Political Economy Pat Utomi has warned that Nigeria could face a civil war if the 2027 general election is manipulated, raising concerns over the potential consequences of electoral malpractice.
Utomi issued the warning following an informal town hall meeting in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he attended a lunch to which Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was invited.
In a post on X on Sunday, the professor said the gathering unexpectedly turned into a discussion about Nigeria’s political challenges, with participants expressing concern over what they perceived as the confidence of some public officials in their ability to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 elections.
According to Utomi, many of the questions centred on fears that some politicians appeared convinced that the results of the forthcoming election were already guaranteed.
“Many of the questions suggest worry about the boldness of public officials in projecting rigging with results of elections of 2027 considered in the pocket,” he wrote.
He added that participants were eager to explore ways of preventing electoral malpractice and protecting the integrity of the voting process.
“They were energised to ask for how they could fight rigging,” Utomi said.
The political economist subsequently warned that any attempt to subvert the will of voters could plunge the country into a severe crisis.
“The determination to do whatever will prevent election malpractice suggests we may see a civil war if power tries to muscle the will of the people this time,” he stated.
Utomi is a prominent supporter of Obi’s presidential ambition and has maintained that his backing is specifically for the former Anambra governor to become president, rather than accept a vice-presidential position under another candidate.
He previously said he would withdraw his support for Obi if the politician agreed to become another presidential candidate’s running mate.
“Peter Obi has my support for the presidency. But my position is clear, I am not supporting the idea of Peter Obi becoming somebody else’s Vice President,” he said in an earlier post.
The professor has also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over rising petrol prices and the cost of living, arguing that high fuel costs and low wages have compounded the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
His latest warning comes as political activities and alignments ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum.