Professor Pat Utomi, a respected economist and political activist, unveiled a shadow government initiative aimed at providing a robust counterpoint to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This undertaking, launched virtually on Monday and branded the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government, was framed by Utomi as a crucial “national emergency response.”
The coalition’s membership, Utomi explained, represents a broad spectrum of Nigeria’s opposition parties. Its core mandate involves rigorous oversight of government actions, meticulous identification of policy shortcomings, and the proactive proposal of viable alternatives across key sectors: the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, law enforcement, and constitutional reform.
Utomi voiced serious concerns about the state of Nigerian democracy, stating, “The recent spate of defections to the All Progressives Congress provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria.” He underscored the coalition’s critical role, emphasizing, “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.”
The group will convene weekly to dissect public policy and formulate reform recommendations. Utomi stressed the paramount importance of ethical conduct and transparency, qualities he believes are currently lacking in the government. He asserted, “This shadow team must also address issues of ethics, transparency, and integrity, which continue to challenge this government at every turn.” He further highlighted the urgent need to combat widespread poverty and address the economic fallout from multinational company closures and mass unemployment, stating, “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 criticized the government’s approach to the removal of petroleum subsidies, arguing that a purported consensus among political leaders served to mask flawed policy execution. He declared, “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.”
Regarding security sector reform, Utomi advocated for a decentralized policing model, empowering communities to manage their own security through a multi-layered system comprising local, state, and federal (Federal National Guard) forces. He stated, “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 with state police and the Federal National Guard.” He attributed the resistance to such reforms to corruption and over-centralization.
The shadow cabinet comprises a diverse range of professionals and public figures from across the opposition. Utomi described its function as encompassing both policy analysis (think tank) and government accountability (policy watchdog), offering constructive alternatives to government decisions.
Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi heads the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio. Other key figures contributing to the policy unit include Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, and Obi Ajuga. The broader shadow cabinet features a substantial number of additional experts and professionals: 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. Further members include 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.
