Political economist and convener of Nigeria’s shadow government, Professor Pat Utomi, has condemned the rising trend of political defections, calling it a clear indicator of institutional failure and democratic decline.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Utomi stated that the shadow government was established to enhance governance through ideological consistency and expert oversight.
“We wake up, and the biggest news is who defected,” he said. “That tells you these individuals never truly understood their mandate. They weren’t elected to switch sides; they were elected to serve.”
On ongoing efforts to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, Utomi emphasised that the goal should extend beyond electoral victory.
“Our hope is that they remember it’s not just about winning elections,” he said. “It’s about knowing how to govern—and that’s where we’ve consistently failed.”
Utomi described Nigeria’s democratic space as a “theatre,” where political antics are applauded while the nation deteriorates.
“Our democracy is in crisis,” he said. “We’ve become spectators in a tragic play, cheering as the country falls apart.”
He criticised the distortion of legislative duties, especially the emphasis on constituency projects, which he said weakens the essential principle of checks and balances.
Utomi criticised the legislative arm for abandoning its core duty of lawmaking and succumbing to executive manipulation.
“Legislators were not elected to execute projects. They were elected to make laws in the interest of the common good,” he stated.
Utomi argued that many lawmakers now prioritise constituency projects over governance due to pressure from their constituents and the promise—or threat—of executive funding.
“They return to their constituencies and are asked, ‘What project did you bring?’ If you did not bring one, you’re seen as a failure. That dynamic forces them to become subservient.”
Utomi explained that the shadow government includes individuals from opposition parties assigned to monitor specific ministries and policy areas. He noted the idea is not new, recalling a similar proposal he made to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008.
“Yar’Adua didn’t see it as a threat—he thought it was part of democratic evolution,” Utomi said. “He even asked me to join his cabinet, but I told him I had just formed an alternative one.”
He reiterated that the coalition must not be viewed as a mere campaign platform but as a values-based movement with a clear ideological foundation.
Meanwhile, the federal government, through the Department of State Services, has petitioned a Federal High Court in Abuja to declare the shadow government unconstitutional. The case remains pending.
Also speaking at the press conference, Nana Sani Kazaure, the shadow minister for communication and public orientation, called for a shift in public discourse. She urged Nigerians to prioritise unity and development over ethnic, religious, or partisan loyalties.
She commended Utomi’s efforts, describing the shadow cabinet as a timely and necessary step toward democratic renewal in Nigeria.
