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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

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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.”

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BREAKING: “I am ready to serve only one term” – Peter Obi declares 2027 presidential ambition

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Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has confirmed he will contest the 2027 presidential election.

Obi added that he was willing to serve a single four-year term if elected.

He made the declaration last night while speaking during a live session on X Spaces, where he answered questions from supporters both in Nigeria and abroad.

In a statement released today by his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, Obi dismissed claims of a possible joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

However, he admitted being open to coalition talks, only if they are focused on addressing Nigeria’s core problems.

“If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… Count me out.

Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it,” Obi said.

He also promised to stabilise Nigeria within two years of his administration and urged Nigerians to join him in the mission to rescue the nation.

“I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he added.

Speaking on the crisis within the Labour Party, Obi revealed that efforts were ongoing to secure the Independent National Electoral Commission’s recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

On power rotation, Obi stated, “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”

Commenting on President Bola Tinubu’s reported trip to St. Lucia, Obi criticised the President’s domestic absence, saying, “St Lucia is about the size of the 10th largest city of Nigeria, Ilorin.

President Tinubu has never slept a night in any state of Nigeria outside Lagos since the assumption of office in 2023.

PBAT to stay in St Lucia for 10 days.

”Regarding his 2027 plans, Obi said the approach would be non-violent and focused on transparency.

He stated, “We will do things differently in 2027. We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing will be done before the result announcement in Abuja.

Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.”

He outlined three priorities for his first 100 days in office: security, education, and poverty reduction.

“My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds to be channelled into key critical sectors,” he said.

Obi vowed to promote strong party opposition and end party-switching by elected officials.

“There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he asserted.

He criticised the current administration for misaligned priorities, saying, “Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of the country, and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying.”

He called for responsible governance and integrity.

“To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education and pulling people out of poverty.

To do this is by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.

“My past speaks loudly for me. Wherever there was an issue in Anambra State, I was there physically.

Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians.

Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government.”

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Ali Bukar Dalori takes over APC national chairmanship

He promised to lead with “transparency, inclusiveness, and unity of purpose,” adding that his appointment is not a personal victory.“

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Ali Bukar Dalori has formally assumed office as the acting national chairman of the of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party.

Dalori, while addressing the party’s national working committee on Monday, said that his appointment followed Ganduje’s resignation and the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

” I took the responsibility with “humility, responsibility, and loyalty,” said Dalori.

He promised to lead with “transparency, inclusiveness, and unity of purpose,” adding that his appointment is not a personal victory.“

This is a period for consolidation — not conflict. For maturity — not division. And for vision — not personal ambition,” he said

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UPDATE: Police mount guard at PDP secretariat in Abuja to stop NEC meeting •Manhandle, arrest staff

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Armed policemen have taken over the Wadata Plaza, the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, as tension continues to mount over the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting which is expected to hold today by 2pm.

Ohibaba.com earlier reported that the police disallowed a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Maina Chiroma, from entrance into the premises of the secretariat.

An official of the party, who spoke to our correspondent off camera, said that the police were deployed to stop the proposed NEC Expanded Caucus Meeting.

Though some staff members of the party were initially allowed to go into the premises of the secretariat without any resistance from the police, they were later sent out.

Journalists were also asked to leave the premises of the secretariat.

Some policemen were seen cordoning off Dalaba Street, which is the road leading to Wadata Plaza.

Meanwhile, security agents have reportedly manhandled and arrested Thomas Ibu, a staff member in the party’s Publicity Department.

Journalists at the PDP National Secretariat in Wuse Zone 5 witnessed several policemen surround and apprehend Ibu.

The incident prompted other PDP staff members to attempt to intervene, resisting the police’s actions.

However, the security operatives overpowered them and swiftly took Ibu away.

As of the time of filing this report, the reason for the arrest remains unclear.

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