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
Bamidele tasks 11th Senate to consider single term for President, govs after 2027 polls
… If you know you are there for six years, only one tenure, you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance that you have.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has proposed a six-year single term for the President and governors to enable them to put in their best from the moment they are voted in.
Speaking to journalists during an interactive session ahead of the 3rd anniversary of the 10th Senate, in Abuja, Bamidele said: “I now see why one of the first sets of bills that I look forward to moving by God’s grace when we come back for the 11th Senate is for a bill that will only make it possible for anyone who wants to be President of this country or governor in any state of this country to spend only one tenure of six years.
“With this, you don’t even have to worry about wasting almost one and a half years of your first term thinking and struggling and looking forward to how you’ll be re-elected. If you know you are there for six years, only one tenure, you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance that you have.”
The Senate Leader also strongly defended the 10th Senate against allegations that it functioned as a rubber-stamp legislature, insisting that the upper chamber deliberately adopted a strategy of constructive engagement with the executive to address Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges rather than pursuing public confrontations.
Politics
Peter Obi demands N5bn from Kenneth Okonkwo over defamation allegations
Okonkwo allegedly claimed that “Obi, together with the leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East, informed the party’s aspirants that any person seeking to contest as a member of the House of Representatives must, after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee, pay a bribe of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) to the NDC and to the Caucus leaders.”
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Gregory Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a television appearance.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making false, malicious and defamatory allegations against their client during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, June 8.
The legal team said that the remarks were subsequently published and circulated by several media organisations and online platforms.
According to the letter, Okonkwo allegedly claimed that “Obi, together with the leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East, informed the party’s aspirants that any person seeking to contest as a member of the House of Representatives must, after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee, pay a bribe of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) to the NDC and to the Caucus leaders.”
The lawyers also alleged that Okonkwo claimed there was documentary evidence of the payments, that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, collected money from people abroad and was involved in criminal activities alongside other party leaders.
The letter stated that the allegations portrayed Obi as a person engaged in bribery, extortion, fraud, financial dishonesty and criminal conduct.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has officially named Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the deputy governorship candidate to pair with Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election.
The announcement was made following extensive consultations and a rigorous selection process by the party leadership. Sonayon-James, who currently serves as the Lagos State Deputy Woman Leader of the APC, is a 40/41-year-old Badagry princess with a strong background in public policy, community development, agriculture, women’s empowerment, and social services.
Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi praised her competence, loyalty, and grassroots appeal, describing the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket as a powerful combination of experience, innovation, and visionary leadership that will continue to drive development across the state.
The selection is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the ticket’s appeal, particularly by providing representation from Badagry and boosting support among women and younger voters ahead of the February 2027 polls. Supporters have welcomed the choice, hailing it as a balanced and progressive pairing.
Dr. Hamzat, the incumbent Deputy Governor, emerged as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate earlier in 2026 and is widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is completing his second term.
This development marks another key step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Bamidele tasks 11th Senate to consider single term for President, govs after 2027 polls
President Tinubu Commissions new EFCC office in Ekiti
Peter Obi demands N5bn from Kenneth Okonkwo over defamation allegations
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News2 days agoCourt Voids ₦110bn N’Assembly Vehicles, Allowances
-
Business3 days agoSenate’s approval of Sugar – Sweetened Beverages Tax Bill, Shocking, says CPPE, Lobbying Reps for rejection
-
News2 days agoFG Clears Five-Month Allowance Arrears for University Lecturers
-
News2 days agoLagos Begins 500-Tree Campaign to Tackle Extreme Heat
-
News3 days agoCourt Declares National Assembly’s N110bn SUV and Allowance Schemes Unlawful
-
Politics2 days agoNDC Declares Party Supremacy, Approves Code of Conduct Committee
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Lagos APC picks Damilola as Hamzat ‘s Deputy Governor
-
Entertainment2 days agoNigerian-British Singer Talay Riley Dies in London Stabbing, Others Mourn