Renowned economist-cum-politician, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said that Nigerians would rather have a referendum than an election.
Professor Utomi expressed these sentiments in an issued statement at the weekend.
The technocrat, who was a presidential aspirant in 2011, said if those that want power led, “we would not be in this recursive mode of one step forward, three steps backward”.
He challenged all to “speak up on future of how we live together” adding that “we cannot continue to play the ostrich”.
The Professor said, “Our country is truly at a crossroads, and no one who fails to take a stand can be considered worthy of the trust of the people.
“As a Nigerian who has grown up Pan-Nigerian in the North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-West, and South-South, and for decades pursued a career in crafting accommodation of one another, I recognise clearly that if those who seek power, truly lead, we would not be in this recursive mode of one step forward, three steps backward”.
“I fully understand the widespread sentiment of many I run into that crunch time in the question of whether to break up or live together in dignity has arrived and that a referendum is more important now than election. I am pained by our arriving at this point, but cannot ignore the passionate sentiment”, he stated.
A referendum is defined as “an occasion when all the people of a country can vote on an important issue”.
