FG kicks as Utomi launches shadow government

Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, has announced the formation of a shadow government.

The initiative, launched virtually on Monday under the banner of the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government, aims to serve as a credible opposition to the President Bola Tinubu administration.

A shadow government is a group of opposition members that mimics the structure and cabinet of the actual government. It is common in a parliamentary system of government.

According to Utomi, his shadow government is a “national emergency response” to the Tinubu administration.

He said the group, which draws its membership from various opposition parties across Nigeria, will focus on scrutinising government actions, pinpointing policy failures, and proposing alternative solutions in critical sectors such as the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, law and order, and constitutional reform.

“The recent spate of defections to the All Progressives Congress provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria,” Utomi said.

He said there is a necessity for a genuine opposition to identify the performance failures of the incumbents, offer viable options, and influence public discourse in a counter direction.

Utomi accused the government of using broad political consensus as a cover for poor planning, particularly in the removal of petroleum subsidy.

The former chieftain of the Labour Party said the shadow government plans to meet weekly to analyse public policy and recommend reforms.

“This shadow team must also address issues of ethics, transparency, and integrity, which continue to challenge this government at every turn,” he said.

The shadow cabinet includes a diverse group of professionals and public figures from the opposition, including Dele Farotimi, the human rights advocate, who will lead the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio.

Farotimi joins Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, and Obi Ajuga on the policy delivery unit.

Other cabinet members are Adefolusade Adebayo, Peter Agadah, Sadiq Gombe, Chibuzor Nwachukwu, Salvation Alibor, Bilkisu Magoro, Victor Tubo, Charles Odibo, Otive Igbuzor, Eunice Atuejide, Gbenga Ajayi, Mani Ahmad, Peter Oyewole, and Omano Edigheji.

Additional members include Sidi Ali, Ibrahim Abdukarim, Adenike Oriola, Promise Adewusi, Ukachukwu Awuzie, Ambrose Obimma, Rwang Pam, Dr Kingsley Anedo, Auwal Aliyu, Ghazali Ado, Nana Kazaure, Aisha Yusuf, Dr Charles Gilbert, and Olujimi Akiboh.

Reacting, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, described the move as an aberration in a federal system of government.

“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,” the minister said.

“Nigeria is not a parliamentary system where such a system is practised, and there is no provision for such in our statute books. While opposition politics is a central feature of democracy, it must be practised at all times within the bounds of propriety.

“This idea of a shadow government sadly does not pass that test. Our bicameral legislature amply features members of the opposition, and it should be the right place to contest meaningful ideas for nation-building.”