By IDNN Political Intelligence Desk | 7 May 2025 | Abuja
A new political storm has erupted following the announcement of a shadow government by prominent economist and political activist, Prof. Pat Utomi. The Federal Government has swiftly condemned the move, calling it an unconstitutional attempt to undermine Nigeria’s presidential system.
Utomi, who unveiled the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government” in a virtual event on Monday, said the initiative was designed to provide policy alternatives, expose governance failures, and restore democratic accountability.
“We must awaken a people drifting into silence and survival mode. This is about credible opposition with substance, not just noise,” Utomi said.
⚖️ FG Pushes Back: “This is Not Westminster”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, responded sharply on behalf of the government.
“Nigeria is not a parliamentary system where shadow governments are recognized,” he said. “There is no legal basis for it in our constitution.”
Idris stated that democratic opposition should operate through the legislature, where members already represent alternative political voices. He warned that Utomi’s approach risks misleading the public and eroding the credibility of legitimate democratic processes.
“Our bicameral legislature is the proper platform to contest policy. Not parallel governments,” he added.
🧠 Utomi Unveils Cabinet, Sets Bold Policy Targets
Despite the federal rebuke, Utomi released an extensive list of shadow cabinet members drawn from multiple opposition parties and civil society.
The shadow team includes lawyers, economists, development experts, and governance reform advocates. They plan to hold weekly cabinet meetings and release policy critiques and proposals across core sectors.
Key areas of focus:
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Economic recovery through domestic production and entrepreneurship
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Healthcare reform and education access
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Decentralized policing and constitutional restructuring
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Transparency in public spending and ethical leadership
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Security reforms targeting insurgency in Benue, Plateau, and beyond
“If a genuine opposition doesn’t critique and offer options, it becomes complicit in silence,” Utomi said.
Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi was named to lead the Ombudsman and Good Governance Unit. Other figures include Cheta Nwanze, Obi Ajuga, Dr. Adefolusade Adebayo, and Dr. Otive Igbuzor.
💥 A Policy Statement or Political Provocation?
Utomi’s launch drew sharp lines between those calling for serious reforms and those defending constitutional order. His team claims the action was triggered by rising poverty, corporate exits, and worsening insecurity.
“People are hungry. The economy is bleeding. And propaganda is being used to silence critics,” he said.
He also took aim at the Tinubu administration’s policy sequencing, saying the subsidy removal and FX liberalization lacked safeguards and have worsened hardship.
🚨 What’s Next?
Legal analysts say Utomi’s shadow cabinet has no statutory authority but is not illegal unless it incites unrest or claims executive power. Politically, it may energize the fractured opposition and create space for data-driven policy debates.
But with the 2027 election cycle looming, insiders say it may also spark deeper conflict between the ruling APC and coordinated opposition groups.
For now, the lines are drawn — and the spotlight is squarely on how both sides define governance, power, and legitimacy.
