Renowned Nigerian political economist and management expert, Professor Pat Utomi, has revealed the identities of members of the recently reconstituted Shadow Government, a civic initiative aimed at improving governance through policy critique and alternative solutions.
Speaking from the United States in an interview with the sun, Utomi expressed surprise at the Department of State Services (DSS) move to challenge the initiative in court. He said he has not been officially served any court documents, questioning the timing and rationale behind the DSS’s action.
Like I said, I have not received anything. But they are slow in acting. First, I formed this government in 2008. Why are they waking up today?” Utomi stated.
He explained that the idea of a Shadow Government was first conceived after the 2007 general elections as a means to deepen democracy and generate rational public discourse on national policies.
I suggested the idea of Shadow Government after the 2007 election as a way of deepening our democracy in helping to generate rational public conversation in matters of policy that government is pursuing,” he said. “Helping raise the voice of citizens relative to those policy choices and the offering of alternatives.”
Utomi noted that while the concept briefly gained traction among opposition leaders after the 2011 elections, including figures like Chief Olu Falae, it was never fully operational until recently, when rising dissatisfaction with governance, poverty, and lack of accountability reignited interest in the initiative.
He disclosed that some early members included Dr. Leke Pitan as the shadow health expert and Dr. Jerome Okolo, who still serves in the area of power. “There is no big deal about it beyond getting people to become more focused on different parts of activities of government so that they will have expertise on those particular government activities,” Utomi clarified. “This new excitement is strange to me. It is a testament about the deterioration of our democratic ethos in the country.”
The current shadow cabinet, according to Utomi, includes individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise. Among them are Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer heading the Ombudsman and Good Governance section, as well as Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Halima Ahmed, Daniel Ikuonobe, Obi Ajuga, and David Okonkwo.
Others include Dr. Adefolusade Adebayo, Dr. Peter Agadah, Dr. Sadiq Gombe, Chibuzor Nwachukwu, Salvation Alibor, Bilkisu Magoro, Dr. Jerome Okolo, Dr. Leke Pitan, and Dr. Victor Tubo—each responsible for sectors such as education, economy, health, national security, and youth development.
Utomi emphasized that the Shadow Government will regularly convene to review federal policies, propose better alternatives, and educate the public on key national issues.
He said the initiative seeks to steer national discussions “away from empty loyalty and towards solutions backed by facts and research.”
(Journalist101)
