Labour Party leader Prof. Pat Utomi spoke out about his battle with prostate cancer, for which he was diagnosed last year, on Friday. He claimed that this is why he has been quiet recently.
In a series of tweets, the 2011 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) said, “Prostate cancer is bringing death and misery to many men.”
He argued that if patients had been forewarned, the “misery containment” and chances of cure could be significantly enhanced, similar to breast cancer prevention efforts among women.
I am moved this dawn of light to confront an epidemic under the carpet with great harm to men. Prostate cancer is bringing death and misery to many men. Had they been forewarned the misery containment and even chances of cure could be much enhanced, like women have with breast CA
— Pat Utomi (@UtomiPat) August 11, 2023
“When a biopsy showed I was positive last year I began treatment with a cancer Centre with a branch in Ikeja and VI,” Utomi said.
“I sometimes came from election campaigns to the Ikeja Centre near the Airport. The Doctors would try to smuggle me out from the back.”
When a biopsy showed I was positive last year I began treatment with a cancer Centre with a branch in Ikeja and VI. I sometimes came from election campaigns to the Ikeja Centre near the Airport. The Doctors would try to smuggle me out from the back. The well known shielded ?”
— Pat Utomi (@UtomiPat) August 11, 2023
The political economist added that once elections were over, his young nephews and cousins who are doctors in Europe and the US “joined forces with the Lakeshore people and decided they wanted me in their direct care”.
“That’s how come it seemed I went quiet cause they controlled my phones to reduce stress,” he added.
Once elections were over my young nephews and cousins, Doctors in Europe and the US , joined forces with the Lakeshore people and decided they wanted me in their direct care. That’s how come it seemed I went quiet cause they controlled my phones to reduce stress.
— Pat Utomi (@UtomiPat) August 11, 2023
Utomi played a pivotal role in the 2023 presidential campaign for Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, paving the way for an unprecedented third force in Nigerian politics.
Though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as president, Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, are challenging the outcome of the election in court.