The Federal Government has kicked against the move by prominent economist and political activist Prof. Pat Utomi to inaugurate a shadow government composed of members from various opposition parties.
According to Utomi, the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government”, launched virtually on Monday evening, will function as a credible opposition force, highlighting the failures of the President Bola Tinubu administration while offering ideas for better governance.
Describing it as an aberration in a federal system of government, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in an interview, said, “At a time when our nation is set to celebrate 26 unbroken years of presidential democracy, the idea of a so-called ‘shadow government” is an aberration.
“Nigeria is not a parliamentary system where such a system is practised, and there is no provision for such in our statute books.
“While opposition politics is a central feature of democracy, it must be practised at all times within the bounds of propriety.
“This idea of a shadow government sadly does not pass that test. Our bicameral legislature amply features members of the opposition, and it should be the right place to contest meaningful ideas for nation-building.”
Utomi, however, defended the move, stating that policy blunders by the current federal government had increased poverty, driven multinational corporations out of the country, and intensified terrorism in Benue and Plateau states, with rising insecurity and corruption countrywide.
The don voiced concern about the government’s use of propaganda and the suppression of competing viewpoints.
“The recent spate of defections to the All Progressives Congress provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
“The imperative is that if a genuine opposition does not courageously identify the performance failures of incumbents, offer options, and influence culture in a counter direction, it will be complicit in subverting the will of the people.”
Utomi stated that the shadow cabinet—made up of figures drawn from several opposition parties—was created to respond to what he called a national emergency.
“Today, I bring to this pioneer body the desperate cries of a people troubled by how their reality seems bound for serfdom. I challenge you to awaken these people who wrongly believe that everything is fine as long as they can manage a share of what little still trickles down from crude oil sales,” Utomi said.
Utomi mentioned that the shadow government would hold weekly cabinet sessions to evaluate government policies and offer viable solutions.
He listed urgent goals as increasing output, developing a clear economic growth strategy, decentralising security, and reforming the constitution.
He stated that the cabinet would also focus on giving alternatives in healthcare, education, infrastructure development, law enforcement, and policy monitoring.
Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi was appointed head of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio.
Others named to the policy delivery unit include Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, and Obi Ajuga.
Other members of the shadow cabinet include Dr Adefolusade Adebayo, Dr Peter Agadah, Dr Sadiq Gombe, Chibuzor Nwachukwu, Salvation Alibor, Bilkisu Magoro, Dr Victor Tubo, Charles Odibo, Dr Otive Igbuzor, Eunice Atuejide, Gbenga Ajayi, and Dr Mani Ahmad, as well as Peter Oyewole and Dr Omano Edigheji.
