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.”
News
JUST IN: INEC Urges Lagos Residents: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Participate in CVR

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lagos State has urged eligible residents to avoid last minute rush in the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise which commences nationwide on Monday, August 18, 2025.
Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, made this appeal at a news conference on Tuesday, to announce the Commission’s readiness for the process in Lagos.
Salami said: “Don’t wait until the last hours. We must reduce the rush towards the end of the exercise.
“We appeal to all eligible residents to come and use this opportunity now before the rush begins. The exercise for now, will take place at the state secretariat, 6 Birrel Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos as well as all the 20 Local Government offices of INEC.”
According to him, the CVR exercise is a crucial component of the electoral process, aimed at ensuring that all eligible citizens are registered to vote.
He said that the exercise would start August 18, 2025, and that online registration could be done anywhere before the physical biometric capturing, beginning August 25, 2025. The exercise is expected to end on August 30, 2026.
The REC said that those eligible to partake in the process include adult Nigerians without prior registration, those that had attained 18 years of age within the time frame of the exercise.
According to him, others are those willing to replace their damaged or lost Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and those willing to transfer their voting rights to other Polling Units, Registration Areas (Wards), Local Governments or States.
Salami said that residents with claims of lost cards, requesting new cards must present a police report or court affidavit for such claims to be accepted.
Salami said that INEC was counting on the media for a successful CVR in the area of public awareness, education, sensitivities, monitoring and reporting as well as promotion of transparency.
According to him, the CVR exercise is open to all eligible citizens and the registration remains a crucial step in ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard.
The REC also called for collaboration of other stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise.
Politics
ADC Names Jackie Wayas Deputy National Publicity Secretary
As part of the Obidient movement, Wayas leveraged grassroots activism and digital advocacy to mobilize millions of young Nigerians, showcasing the power of fresh ideas in shaping national discourse.

• ADC deputy national publicity secretary , Jackie Wayas
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appointed Jackie Wayas as its new deputy national publicity secretary.
Previously, Wayas served as a political strategist with the Labour Party, where she played a pivotal role in the 2023 presidential campaign.
As deputy national publicity secretary, Wayas will be responsible for crafting and executing the party’s media strategies, articulating its reform agenda, and connecting with millions of Nigerians eager for a new political direction.
Wayas, a seasoned strategic communicator and advocate for inclusive democracy, will lead the ADC’s conventional media engagement efforts—an influential role in shaping public perception and promoting the party’s vision for good governance.
Her appointment has been regarded as both a symbolic and practical move toward ensuring that women and young people play central roles in Nigeria’s political future.
Her journey into this position underscores the shifting dynamics of political leadership in the country.
As part of the Obidient movement, Wayas leveraged grassroots activism and digital advocacy to mobilize millions of young Nigerians, showcasing the power of fresh ideas in shaping national discourse.
Through her work in the Labour Party’s national organizing office, Wayas developed expertise in political mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and public advocacy.
For Wayas, the appointment is not just a personal achievement but a rallying call for youth and women to take up leadership roles
. “We can no longer be spectators,” she has often remarked in public forums. “Our voices, our ideas, and our leadership are essential to building the Nigeria we all want.”
Politics
ADC Rivers Membership hits 800,000
“As for Rivers State, we have the likes of Rotimi Amaechi, who is a former governor, and Celestine Omehia, who is also a former governor. The former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, is also a member of the ADC.

Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Luckyman Egila, declared that the party’s membership is growing by leaps and bounds in the state.
In a statement, Egila revealed that the party has current membership strength of over 800,000 and counting.
He described the party as a beautiful bride, adding that prominent politicians, including two former governors and two senators, had officially joined and received their party membership cards.
He added:
“The ADC, as of today, is a beautiful bride that is receiving key politicians into its fold. “We are a moving train because, politically, we don’t see anyone capable of stopping the ADC from clinching whatever ticket or office we want in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
“As for Rivers State, we have the likes of Rotimi Amaechi, who is a former governor, and Celestine Omehia, who is also a former governor. The former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, is also a member of the ADC.
“We also have Senator Lee Maeba and Senator Andrew Uchendu as members of our party. Of course, you should know that Senator Andrew Uchendu is the Vice Chairman, South-South of the ADC as of today.”
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