Renowned economist and political advocate, Prof. Pat Utomi, has unveiled a shadow government made up of representatives from multiple opposition parties.
Utomi explained that the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government,” launched virtually on Monday evening, aims to serve as a legitimate opposition, spotlighting the shortcomings of the Bola Tinubu administration while presenting alternative governance solutions.
However, the Federal Government swiftly condemned the initiative, calling it a deviation from the norms of a federal system.
In an interview with The PUNCH, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, 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.
“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, justified the move, arguing that policy missteps by the current Federal Government had worsened poverty, driven multinational companies out of the country, and intensified terrorism in Benue and Plateau states, alongside rising insecurity and corruption nationwide.
The don expressed concern over what he described as the government’s resort to propaganda and the suppression of 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.
“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.”
He said 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.
THE PUNCH
