Renowned economist and political commentator Pat Utomi has delivered a scathing attack on the Nigerian media, accusing major outlets of enabling political instability by platforming discredited political actors and undermining democratic accountability.

Speaking at a political symposium in Lagos on Saturday, Utomi singled out journalists and media houses  including Channels Television for what he described as irresponsible reporting practices that erode public trust and weaken governance.

In a now-viral clip, Utomi warned that any nation where the media fails to challenge wrongdoing and instead amplifies illegitimate actors is heading toward serious trouble.

“I have seen where courts have ruled and even INEC recognised a particular individual as the authentic chairman of a political party, but the Nigerian media will still be interviewing the other people who lost in courts as ‘factional,’” he said.

He condemned the practice of giving legitimacy to individuals who have been rejected by both the courts and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that such actions distort reality and mislead the public.

Drawing a sharp analogy, Utomi said:

“It’s just like me waking up one day and saying I am the owner of Dangote Group, and then the media will invite me and interview me as the factional owner of Dangote Group.”

Utomi also took a swipe at media houses for continuing to feature expelled party members as legitimate voices, before ending with a pointed jab:

“By the way, please where is Lamidi Apapa?”

The comments have ignited fierce online reactions, with many Nigerians directing criticism at Channels TV anchor Seun Okinbaloye and similar figures, accusing them of weak interviewing, bias, and alleged “brown envelope journalism” that compromises objectivity..

As of press time, neither Channels Television nor Okinbaloye has responded to the criticisms.

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