A renowned human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been appointed to lead the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio in a newly formed shadow government announced by Professor Pat Utomi.
Farotimi joins dozens of professionals and opposition voices in the structure, which Utomi says will serve as an alternative policy think tank and watchdog for the current administration.
Other appointees to the policy delivery unit include Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, and Obi Ajuga.
The broader shadow cabinet also includes 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, Dr. Mani Ahmad, Peter Oyewole, and Dr. Omano Edigheji.
Additional members are Sidi Ali, Ibrahim Abdukarim, Adenike Oriola, Promise Adewusi, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, Ambrose Obimma, Rwang Pam, Dr. Kingsley Anedo, Prof. Auwal Aliyu, Dr. Ghazali Ado, Nana Kazaure, Aisha Yusuf, Dr. Charles Gilbert, and Olujimi Akiboh.
Utomi, an economist and political advocate, launched the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government during a virtual event on Monday. He said the body was created in response to what he described as worsening economic and security conditions under President Bola Tinubu’s government.
He explained that the group would meet weekly to review public policies, offer alternatives, and push for reforms in key areas such as the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, law and order, and constitutional restructuring.
“This shadow team must also address issues of ethics, transparency, and integrity, which continue to challenge this government at every turn,” Utomi said.
He added that the immediate priorities would include stimulating local production, decentralising security, and promoting inclusive governance.
“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,” he said.
Utomi also criticised the economic direction of the current administration, especially its handling of the petroleum subsidy removal.
“Making propaganda of most leaders being in agreement on removing the petroleum subsidy was to cover up policy errors of how to remove it without further structural damage to the economy,” he said.
He noted that rising poverty, business closures, and unemployment were clear signs of failure.
“Nothing is more urgent than tackling the rising poverty across the country. Multinationals are shutting down, and millions are unemployed. Just two recent company exits illustrate how poorly thought-out policies have tanked the economy.”
Utomi accused the ruling party of using propaganda to block open debate and scrutiny.
“The resort to propaganda as a tool of governing, by the party in power, makes rational discussion of the decisions of the APC government difficult, moving us more towards fascist conditions,” he said.
“Policing for me is a local function. We will travel further if we get the communities to have their own armed and well-trained police forces, which will be layered State police and the Federal National Guard,” Utomi said.
“So much seems rooted in politics and positioning for elections that service to the people seems to be a forgotten proposition. This shadow team must emphasise returning to the people and enabling their pursuit of happiness. That is the purpose of government,” he added.
In response, the Federal Government rejected the formation of the shadow cabinet. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, criticised the initiative as unconstitutional and unsuitable for Nigeria’s presidential system.Nigerian cultural tours
“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.”
He added that while opposition is a key part of democracy, it must operate “within the bounds of propriety.”
Utomi, however, insists the shadow government is both legitimate and necessary.
“Don’t worry if they steal your ideas and use them—the gain is for Nigeria,” he told his team.
“All effort to showcase integrity and transparency as value must be made,” he said.
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