FG kicks as Utomi launches shadow government

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.”

 

Source: FG kicks as Utomi launches shadow government

 - NigerianEye
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