Pat Utomi, renowned political economist, a professor and a party member of the Labour Party
Well-known economist and political activist Professor Pat Utomi has formed a “shadow government” comprised of members from various opposition parties to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The group, called the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government,” was launched online Monday evening. According to Utomi, it will highlight failures of the current government while offering better ideas for running the country.
According to The Punch, the Federal Government quickly opposed this move. Information Minister Mohammed Idris 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,” Idris continued. “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,” the minister added.
Utomi defended his decision, saying the current government’s poor policies have worsened poverty, driven large companies out of Nigeria, and allowed terrorism to grow in Benue and Plateau states. He also claimed insecurity and corruption are increasing nationwide.
Utomi expressed concern that the government uses propaganda and tries to silence opposing views. “The recent spate of defections to the All Progressives Congress provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
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“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 added.
He explained that the shadow cabinet includes people from several opposition parties and 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 told his group.
The shadow cabinet includes human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi as head of Good Governance. Others appointed to key positions include Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, and Obi Ajuga.
Additional members 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, Dr. Mani Ahmad, Peter Oyewole and Dr. Omano Edigheji.
Utomi said the shadow government will meet weekly to review government policies and suggest practical alternatives. Their main priorities include boosting production, creating a clear economic growth plan, decentralising security responsibilities, and reforming the constitution.
The group will also focus on offering better options for healthcare, education, infrastructure, law enforcement, and policy monitoring.
“This shadow team must also address issues of ethics, transparency, and integrity, which continue to challenge this government at every turn,” Utomi said.
“Nothing is more urgent than tackling the rising poverty across the country. Multinationals are shutting down, and millions are unemployed. Just two recent company exits illustrate how poorly thought-out policies have tanked the economy,” he added.
Utomi criticised the ruling party for using propaganda to control public opinion. He compared this approach to fascist tactics meant to prevent open debate.
“The resort to propaganda as a tool of governing, by the party in power, makes rational discussion of the decisions of the APC government difficult, moving us more towards fascist conditions. Like Joseph Goebbels inoculated Germans to Hitler’s deadly path, a massive shower of propaganda insults seeks to prevent patriots from factually critiquing policy choices of the government, and the behaviour of its agents, which can have more negative consequences on our well-being,” he said.
