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.”
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has scheduled emergency meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) in Abuja.
The meetings, called by the Abdullrahman Mohammed-led faction, are set to take place at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. According to a notice signed by PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, the BoT will convene at 11 a.m., followed by the NEC session at 2 p.m. The notice described attendance as mandatory, citing discussions on “crucial matters.”
The move comes days after another PDP faction, led by former national chairman Umar Damagum, held a national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. During that convention, the faction announced the expulsion of Wike, Anyanwu, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and several other party leaders, including Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohabunwa, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Uwachukwu Abdulrahman, Austin Nwachukwu, and Abraham Amah.
Politics
Yahaya Bello Disowns Joy Sadiq ‘s Social Media Reports
My relationship with our leader and father, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains strong – grounded in respect, understanding and shared commitment to our collective political goals.”
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello says that certain online comments and videos recently circulated by one JOY SADIQ, in social media about his relationship with President Tinubu are not true and unfounded.
Whereas Joy Sadiq on her social media handles @realmamakogi and @realmamakogi2 on Facebook and TikTok respectively, makes a series of allegations concerning Yahaya Bello’s relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ex-governor said : ” My relationship with our leader and father, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains strong – grounded in respect, understanding and shared commitment to our collective political goals.”
” For clarity and in the public interest, I wish to state in vehement and unmistakable terms that I have no association with this individual beyond the fact that she can sometimes be found within the ranks of those who claim dubious allegiance to our great party, the APC, in Kogi State.
The said individual, her statements and her activities in this and at least one other instance in which she has attacked prominent Nigerians with whom I have cordial relationships and common interests, purportedly in my support, are thoroughly denounced.
The claims she has advanced – particularly those suggesting betrayal, exclusion from government or actions involving political, financial or security authorities are inaccurate, misleading and not reflective of any reality known to me.
She does not speak for me, has never represented me, much less any government or entity under my leadership or control and her assertions are made entirely on her own accord.
I remain utterly and totally sold-out to the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for a second term in 2027 and reject any attempt to mischaracterize the relationship I enjoy with His Excellency, directly or through needless speculation, by anyone and from any quarter.
Accordingly, I encourage the public and the media to treat the said Joy Sadiq’s statements as uninformed and unconnected to me, actuated by malice to sour my personal and political partnerships with the dignitaries mentioned and to refrain from giving any weight to such material.
For the records, all my approved communications are duly and only released on my official channels and national media platforms, when approved by me.”
News
JUST IN: Governor Mutfwang Disassociate Self From Motion Expelling Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, others From the PDP
….Fintiri Abandons Convention after Wike’s Expulsion
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike; former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; Samuel Anyanwu alongside other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In a press statement, Governor Mutfwang clarified that the subject was neither discussed by Governors Forum nor at NEC before the motion was presented. He emphasized that the proposal does not reflect his position on the matter.
Governor Mutfwang further noted that expelling the party leaders at this crucial time is not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.
He reiterated the need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.
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