DSS flies kite for Utomi’s ‘shadow government’
By Ehichioya Ezomon
“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.”
This coup-like message – delivered virtually on May 5, 2025, by Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, a Professor of Political Economy and Management Expert, to a group of Nigerians he’s named into a “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government” – has sent the government of President Bola Tinubu into an overdrive.
Sufficiently riled – and not buying the Utomi gambit – the Federal Government launched a two-pronged push-back on the challenge, first with the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, saying, “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.”
“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,” Idris said.
“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,” the minister added.
Then the authorities dragged the social activist and politician before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Leading the charge against Utomi is the Department of State Services (DSS), which, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, and filed on May 13 via a team of lawyers led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), lists Utomi as the sole defendant in the legal action yet to be fixed for hearing.
The DSS alleges that Utomi’s action, capable of creating chaos and destabilising the country, isn’t only an aberration, but also constitutes a grave attack on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), and a threat to the democratically-elected government that is currently in place.
The DSS also tells the court that if left unchecked, the “shadow government” may incite political unrest, cause intergroup tensions and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which would pose a grave threat to national security.
As reported by Vanguard on May 14, the DSS provides some grounds upon which it accessed the court, including that: Section 1(1) of the 1999 Constitution declares its supremacy and binding force on all persons and authorities in Nigeria; and section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with provisions of the Constitution.
Others are: Section 14(2a) of the Constitution states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government, through the Constitution, derives all its powers and authority; and that the “shadow government” lacks legal imprimatur, as it contravenes various portions of the Constitution.
In its accompanying affidavit alleging Utomi’s establishment of a purported shadow government comprising of several persons that made up its ministerial cabinet, the DSS states that, “the ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government, contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
“The defendant, through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically-elected government of Nigeria.
“While inaugurating the ‘shadow cabinet,’ the defendant stated that it is made up of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio to be manned by Dele Farotimi; the policy Delivery Unit team consisting of Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga; and the council of economic advisers.
“Based on the intelligence gathered by the plaintiff, the activities and statements made by the defendant and his associates are capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuelling public disaffection.
“The defendant’s actions amount to an attempt to usurp or mimic executive authority, contrary to sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which exclusively vests governance in institutions duly created under the Consttution and through democratic elections.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has made several efforts to engage the defendant, to dissuade him from this unconstitutional path, including statements made by the Minister of Information, but the defendant has remained defiant.
“It is In the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal.”
Among other reliefs, the DSS prays the court: • To declare the purported ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ being planned by the defendant and his associates as “unconstitutional, as it amounts to an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
• To declare that under Sections 1(1), 1(2) and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, “the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is unconstitutional, null, and void.”
• To issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Prof. Utomi, his agents and associates from “further taking any steps towards the establishment or operation of a ‘shadow government,’ ‘shadow cabinet’ or any similar entity not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
The question: Who are members of the “shadow government,” and what are its objectives and modus operandi that’ve given the government somewhat unnecessary jitters? According to Utomi, as reported by PUNCH on May 7, the “shadow cabinet,” consists of people from several opposition parties,” with human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, as “head of Good Governance.”
Others are Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, Obi Ajuga, 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.
Explaining that the group, created to respond to what he calls “a national emergency,” would meet weekly to review government policies and suggest practical alternatives, Utomi says their main priorities include boosting production, creating a clear economic growth plan, decentralising security responsibilities, and reforming the Constitution.
While the group will also focus on offering better options for healthcare, education, infrastructure, law enforcement, and policy monitoring, the “team must also address issues of ethics, transparency, and integrity, which continue to challenge this government at every turn,” Utomi says.
“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 adds.
From the look of things, the shadow cabinet is primed to fill the void created by the opposition parties and their leaders, who’ve failed to hold the government to account, and offer alternative policies and actions to tackle the myriad problems facing Nigeria, but have been engaged in trivialities and inanities in the polity.
Indeed, as Utomi notes: “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.”
Despite its wide publicity in the media, many Nigerians – even among the informed who surf the Internet 24/7 – didn’t know or hear about the existence of a “shadow government” in Nigeria. And those who knew or heard about the “shadow cabinet” paid little or no attention to its proclaimed existence.
But that’s before the DSS action, following Utomi’s decision to form a behind-the-scenes government, and attempt to “illegally usurp the executive powers of President Bola Tinubu.” Thanks to the wind the DSS has put to their sails, Utomi and his “ghost cabinet” are trending in the media, and in political circles across the country.
Previously unaware Nigerians are asking multiple questions for an informed opinion. Among other posers, they want to know where the “shadow government” is headquartered; who are the cabinet members; if there’re zonal or state offices and governors/administrators; how can ordinary Nigerians be part of the government; and if it’ll form a political party or align with other parties to contest in the 2027 General Election, or take over the current Government of Nigeria through other means.
Agreed that the DSS has the statutory power to “safeguard the nation by preventing threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions!” However, why give oxygen and a stamp of de facto to a nascent body that might not get off the ground, as did most of Utomi’s previous political adventures?
Though prominent during the pro-democracy era, Utomi’s political posturing gained traction at the 2007 General Election, when he flew the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but failed to fly at the poll, even as his governorship bid didn’t also fly in Delta State in 2011.
In subsequent election cycles, Utomi either flirted with the ruling party or the opposition, or boasted of floating a “mega party” to take over the reins of power, only for his avowals to end in rhetoric, or ignored or rejected by politicians and members of the civil society organisations he’d calculated would rally the troops behind him.
Utomi, as a member of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 General Election, denounced the highly-disputed presidential election of February 25, 2023, as “stolen” by Tinubu, in cahoots with the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies, and on March 4, 2023, called for a review of the results in 12 states, “to enable the INEC to come to some useful resolution.”
By unwittingly reviving his political fortunes, the government has given Utomi the ammunition to fight it. In that regard, Utomi didn’t let the DSS charge to go unreplied, albeit informally, comparing his new-found political endeavour to that of global freedom icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr.
“To the Spirit of Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jnr, Nelson Mandela and the holy watch of St. Thomas Moore, I raise the meaning of being for what is left of my time on this stage,” Utomi wrote in a post to his X handle on May 16.
Utomi scoffs at the government chasing “shadows” in the face of alleged breaches to the Constitution, saying, “I am heartened by messages of solidarity from across Nigeria on this shadowy business of chasing shadows of shadow cabinets. Reminds me of the Nigeria I used to know. I want to thank all. It’s energizing some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS.”
“It’s amazing that we are chasing shadows while our constitution is unraveling aided by those in power. The constitution holds that those who defect from parties they were elected MUST have their seats declared vacant. If DSS enjoys going to court, it should prosecute such.”
Accusing the government of using propaganda and tries to silence opposing views, Utomi says: “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.
“Like Joseph Goebbels inoculated Germans to Hitler’s deadly path, a massive shower of propaganda insults seeks to prevent patriots from factually critiquing policy choices of the government, and the behaviour of its agents, which can have more negative consequences on our well-being.”
Insisting to continue to fight for democratic accountability, and that he’s ready for arrest by the DSS, and to pay the supreme price in his struggle, Utomi touts his pro-democracy bona fide under the despotic regime of Gen. Sani Abacha (1993-1997).
“Under Abacha, we brought Nigerians together at St. Leo in Ikeja for a conference on the future of Nigeria,” Utomi says, adding, “I chaired the planning which came out of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria on the watch of then Fr. Kukah and Ehusani. Now for shadowing democracy hell comes.”
Rhetorically, Utomi asks: “Where am I? (I) will arrive on June 12 (2025), and head to Abiola’s residence. My hands are primed for handcuffs and if the Aquino treatment from Marcos, bullet at the Airport is preferred, I submit willing like a lamb led to slaughter. Death is no big deal. 4 of my friends are in the morgue.
“What is certain is that (President) Tinubu will not escape that same fate. He may have been in London when I faced the assassins under Abacha and been the supplier to Chief (Anthony) Enahoro and NADECO abroad of reports of my position on matters of the struggle but we all ultimately go the way of man.”
As the government decides to make a mountain out of a molehill, and pursues who and what’s not necessarily hunting it, Nigerians wait to see the end of the legal action against Prof. Utomi, and the extent to which his “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” will go under the prevailing political environment characterised by exodus of opposition politicians to the APC headed by President Tinubu, who they’ve accused of turning Nigeria into a one-party state!
* _Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357_ .
