OMOTAYO, J. A.    Lagos, NIGERIA    March 21, 2007

Thanks Mr. Dickson for your wonderful thought and write-up. The search for a leader who can take us to the next level cannot be considered too easy to make. Contributions will vary, same with persuasions.

True, Mr. Pat Utomi stands tall today in terms of his high level of education. Not withstanding this, I like to defer on his candidature for a few reasons.

First, those in OBJ's government today serving either as Ministers and Advisers were largely his friends and associates drawn from PATITO'S GANG. The Soludo, El-Rufai, Ezekwesili, etc. He has been criticising this government but has remained silent on the errors and blunders being committed daily by this said associates. The import of this opinion is that he too will rely on the advise and consel of such people to rule us. There will be no shift from the present except in terms of rhetorics.

Second, with all the information at Mr. Utomi's disposal and the readiness with which he can gain an access to any public office holder in Nigeria, he led a group of youths to demonstrate on the streets of Lagos about two years ago, demanding for works. Why did he not pass the information to government both secretly and publicly other than by demostration? Why did he not grant a press conference first and then issue the government with an ultimatum that they were going to demonstrate if such demands were not attended to withing the specified time limit? Does that action portray him a democrat? I think no.

Third, his institution and bank are beyond the reach of the common man that he claimed to champion. A master's programme at LBS is more than a million Naira, yet it is off-campus. How many students can afford that? How much does it cost to get same degree at any of the federal universities? The difference is large. Opening an account at BankPHB is easy but what about the initial deposit? Both of these issues make him out as a core capitalist in my opinion.

Fourth, a lot of criticisms have trailed his work at Vockswagen of Nigeria as well as his political carrier as economic adviser to the former executive president, Mr. Shehu Shagari. Even when the late Mr. Obafemi Awolowo told the then NPN government that the economy of the state was heading for the rocks, did he agree? I think he disagreed. This led to Mr. Adisa Akinloye going to reply the late Mr. Awolowo in London that the latter was a prophet of doom. The economy went under just about six months after.

I have no sentiments. I deal with facts and issues. I would like to have reactions and criticisms of these viewpoints.

God bless Nigeria