Politics
Pat Utomi Forms Shadow Govt • It’s an Abberation – FG
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
Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, was named head of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio.
Prof. Pat Utomi, has inaugurated a shadow government composed of members from various opposition parties.
A shadow government is individuals or an organization providing counsel to government officials without being publicly accountable.
Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, was named head of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio.
Others appointed 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.
Utomi said that the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government,” launched virtually on Monday evening, will function as a credible opposition force, highlighting the failures of the Bola Tinubu administration while offering ideas for better governance.
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 political activist 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.
Utomi stated that the shadow government would hold weekly cabinet meetings to assess government policies and propose practical alternatives.
He identified immediate priorities as the stimulation of production, the formulation of a coherent economic growth strategy, decentralisation of security, and constitutional reform.
The cabinet, he said, would also focus on providing alternatives in healthcare, education, infrastructure development, law and order, and policy monitoring.
However , in a swift reaction, the Federal Government kicked against the move, describing it as an aberration in a federal system of government.
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.”
Politics
Rep Dasuki Joins ADC, says INEC Chair Becoming Threat to Nigeria’s Multi-party Democracy
Rep Dasuki specifically cited the decision of INEC not to recognize the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a critical step in what he believes is a broader scheme to stifle opposition and dismantle democratic plurality.
Abdussamad Dasuki, a House of Representative ‘s member representing Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, has observed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, under the leadership of Prof Joash Amupitan, is becoming an existential threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Dasuki stated this on Wednesday when he picked up his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at his Dogon Daji/Salah Ward, Tambuwal LGA of Sokoto, alleging that the commission was colluding with those plotting to stifle opposition party and turn Nigeria into one-party state.
The event witnessed a massive turnout of supporters, including hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other parties who formally defected to the ADC.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Rep Dasuki warned that recent developments in the country’s political landscape point to a coordinated effort to weaken opposition voices and undermine democratic principles.
Rep Dasuki specifically cited the decision of INEC not to recognize the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a critical step in what he believes is a broader scheme to stifle opposition and dismantle democratic plurality.
Politics
Coalition Leaders Rouse Nigerians to Reject ‘One Party ‘Rule’, Warning INEC “Don’t kill Democracy”
Following military rules for 34 years (1965-1999), Nigeria has been practicing democracy, ” government “of the people, by the people, for the people”, for 27 years (1999-2026) with former President Olusegun Obasanjo the first democratically elected president.
Photo: #Occupy INEC Protest
Coalition of opposition political leaders and supporters on Wednesday rejected ‘one-party’ system of government for the country ahead of the 2027 general election, and appealing to the INEC , ” Don’t Kill Nigeria’s Democracy.”
Following military rules for 34 years (1965-1999), Nigeria has been practicing democracy, ” government “of the people, by the people, for the people“, for 27 years (1999-2026) with former President Olusegun Obasanjo the first democratically elected president.
Said Peter Obi on the sidelines of the rally: We are simply holding a peaceful demonstration to say that we cannot have a one-party system in our country.
“Nigeria is a democratic nation. We are appealing to those in government: do not destroy our democracy. We need it for our children and for generations to come. Nigerians must have the freedom to choose who leads them. This is critical for our country,” said Peter Obi
Buttressing, the former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis, describing the electoral body as partisan and lacking neutrality.
“Today, I joined fellow coalition leaders and committed democrats to strongly condemn the blatant partisanship and compromised neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.
The protest was led by prominent opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi.Participants gathered at INEC headquarters to demand electoral accountability following the commission’s decision to derecognise the faction of the ADC led by David Mark.
Politics
Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Aregbesola, Storm INEC Hqtrs in Protests
People from different political parties and groups joined in, turning it into a broad coalition rally focused on defending democracy and questioning the credibility of the electoral system.
Photo credit: Imran Muhammad/x
LEADERS of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party on Wednesday led a protest to the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja, defying steady rain to demand electoral accountability following the commission’s decision to derecognise the faction of the ADC led by David Mark as tensions build ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those present were David Mark, former Senate President; Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun State and ex-Minister of Interior; Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate; Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement; and Dino Melaye, former Senator representing Kogi West, alongside other political figures.
The protesters had earlier gathered at David Mark’s residence, where a morning service was held to mark his 78th birthday, before moving out in a coordinated march.
From Apo Legislative Quarters, the crowd surged towards the INEC office, swelling along the way and taking over major roads in the Federal Capital Territory.
What began as a protest linked to a faction of the party quickly grew into something bigger.
People from different political parties and groups joined in, turning it into a broad coalition rally focused on defending democracy and questioning the credibility of the electoral system.
Muyideen Bashiru, a protester, said the turnout showed the concerns cut across party lines, with participants travelling in from different parts of the country.
“We’re currently heading towards the INEC office. You can see the crowd; there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people gathered,” Bashiru said.
As you can see, it’s massive, this is not just about the ADC, there are members of other political parties here as well,” he said.
Rep Dasuki Joins ADC, says INEC Chair Becoming Threat to Nigeria’s Multi-party Democracy
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