Nigerian economist and political figure, Professor Pat Utomi, has disclosed that he once turned down an offer to become a minister from former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
In an interview with Sunday Sun, Utomi explained that the offer came during Yar’Adua’s presidency, but he declined it because he did not want his voice or opinions to be compromised by being in government.
Utomi said Yar’Adua personally tried to convince him for about two hours, even inviting him to his residence after work.
However, Utomi insisted that his decision was not about rejecting public service, but about avoiding a pattern he had observed in African politics where independent critics are brought into government, only to have their influence diminished.
Instead of accepting the role, Utomi proposed that Yar’Adua should select seven capable individuals to take on key roles in the cabinet.
He told the president he would suggest names and continue offering honest advice when needed.
Yar’Adua agreed and asked Utomi to provide the names.
Utomi later returned to Lagos, wrote down the names, and sent them through Steve Oronsaye, a senior government official at the time.
Unfortunately, Utomi said he never heard anything back, as Yar’Adua became ill not long after.
He added that someone later told him the president may never have received the list and wrongly assumed Utomi ignored him in his final days, a claim Utomi firmly denies.
Utomi, who recently launched a “shadow government” to evaluate the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, spoke further on his dedication to national development and his commitment to offering constructive criticism from outside formal government roles.
