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.”
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expanded to another level, as the Senator Samuel Anyanwu–led National Working Committee (NWC) announced the counter-suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, citing alleged incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and pursuit of personal interests.
Ohibaba noted that those who were also suspended are the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, among others.
According to Senator Anyanwu, all the suspended officers will be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for further action.
The announcement by Anyanwu comes shortly after the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced his suspension as the party’s National Secretary by the NWC.
Others suspended alongside Anyanwu are the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month.
The suspension comes on the heels of the judgement of the Federal High Court On Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.
Ologunagba had told journalists in Abuja on Saturday that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the national working committee, which was held in Abuja.
He noted that the suspended party officials have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee.
He said that during this period of the suspension, they cease to function in their respective capacities.
According to him, in the case of the National Secretary, Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall act as the National Secretary.
He added that in the case of the National Legal Adviser and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, the National Director of Legal Services has been directed to oversee the activities of the Department.
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month following a court ruling that halted the party’s planned national convention.
Disclosing this while addressing the press, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision followed an emergency NWC meeting held on Saturday at the party’s office, Legacy House, located in Maitama, Abuja.
He stated that, “The NWC, in line with the party’s constitution, came to the following conclusion: the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organizing Secretary have been suspended for one month and referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee.”
Details later….
Politics
Court Halts PDP National Convention, Citing Electoral Breaches
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho declared that the PDP cannot proceed with the convention until it provides a proper framework for electing delegates.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party from holding its planned national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
The court ruled that the party failed to comply with key provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines in the build‑up to the convention.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho declared that the PDP cannot proceed with the convention until it provides a proper framework for electing delegates.
He stressed that the conditions for a valid national convention had not been met.
The judge noted that congresses to elect delegates were not held in several states. Where they were held, the notices were signed only by the national chairman of the party, excluding the national secretary.
This, he said, was a clear breach of INEC regulations and provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice Omotosho also invalidated the submissions made by PDP counsel Chris Uche and Eyitayo Jegede of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the party, ruling that they were not properly authorized by the party’s national legal adviser.
The judge held that it is only the National Legal Adviser that has the constitutional mandate to appoint legal representation. He explained that even though they were assigned by the national chairman, such authorization was invalid without the legal adviser’s approval.
The court further clarified that the case was not about the internal affairs of the PDP, but about compliance with electoral laws and laid down guidelines.
Justice Omotosho said the suit was aimed at ensuring democratic principles are upheld in the build up to the convention, adding that adherence to INEC guidelines helps forestall impunity.
He emphasized that the PDP’s failure to issue valid postponement notices for congresses in affected states rendered the process arbitrary and invalid.
As a result, the party is not entitled to hold a national convention until proper congresses are conducted in line with the law.
In addition, the court restrained INEC from accepting the results of any congress conducted in breach of electoral regulations.
It directed the PDP to issue fresh notices for congresses, jointly signed by both the national chairman and national secretary, as required by law.
With this ruling, the PDP’s national convention has been put on hold.
The party must now return to the drawing board, comply with electoral guidelines, and conduct valid congresses before it can reconvene its highest decision‑making gathering.
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