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

Published

2 weeks ago

May 7, 2025

OhiBaba

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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Politics

Tinubu Declares Nigeria is a one-party State, “I’m expecting more defections to APC “

“Before I speak, I just need to tell those saying that the one-party system is not good; it’s one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians. “

Published

1 day ago

May 23, 2025

OhiBaba

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, confidently declared that he is expecting more members of opposition political parties to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, before the 2027 general elections.

The Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, and the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party adopted him as the sole candidate.

Speaking at the National Summit of the APC, with the theme: “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey so far’ held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu said it’s one party that is ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians.

“Before I speak, I just need to tell those saying one party system is not good, it’s one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians.

Where do they stand?“You don’t blame a people bailing out of a sinking ship when there is no life jacket. I am glad about what we have and I am expecting more to come. That is the game.

” We are in a constitutional democracy. Don’t forget that freedom of movement and association are not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives. Sweep them clean.”

Speaking on his endorsement, he said: “We will lead you on to that promised land. The resuscitation of the Nigerian economy is on course, the hope is standing before you, take it on.

Politics

President Tinubu Cracks Joke with Peter Obi, Fayemi at the Vatican

On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu.

Published

6 days ago

May 18, 2025

OCHEFA

President Bola Tinubu, Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate, and former Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi met at Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass on Sunday in Rome.

Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed.

On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu.

He said: “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”

President Tinubu, ever quick-witted, responded: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation”.

The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President.

Obi said: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation”.

Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights.

Politics

Pat Utomi replies DSS on Shadow govt

The ‘Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government’, designed to serve as a credible opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Published

1 week ago

May 16, 2025

OCHEFA

•Pat Utomi

Economist and political activist Professor Pat Utomi has reacted to the legal action initiated against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) following his formation of a shadow government-the ‘Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government’, designed to serve as a credible opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a post shared on his X account on Friday, Utomi said that he remains resolute in his commitment to democratic ideals.

“I am heartened by messages of solidarity from across Nigeria on this shadowy business of chasing shadows of shadow cabinets. Reminds me of the Nigeria I used to know. I want to thank all. It’s energizing some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS.

“To worship money and power at the expense of the future all our children will live in, with no care for the peace and progress of those times is condemnable by all of decent conscience. They have a moral obligation to push back on such darkness.

“It’s amazing that we are chasing shadows while our constitution is unraveling aided by those in power.

The constitution holds that those who defect from parties they were elected from MUST have their seats declared vacant. If DSS enjoys going to court, it should prosecute such.”

He wrote, “It was put as a question: Is this how democracy dies in Nigeria. The answer is in the affirmative. This is how democracy died in Nigeria. Where citizens cannot organize themselves to ask questions of their agents.”