Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi has responded to the legal moves by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his recent formation of a shadow government.
Breakingng.com recalls that Utomi recently unveiled a 39-man shadow government, saying it was bouyed by the alleged poor handling of governance by President Tinubu-led Federal Government.
Consequently, the DSS in reaction to this filed a suit against Utomi, the 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
READ ALSO: Alleged shadow govt creation: DSS sues Prof Utomi
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the security agency accused Utomi of attempting to unlawfully usurp the executive powers of President Bola Tinubu.
The DSS stated: “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 agency warned that failing to address the emergence of a shadow government could seriously undermine national stability. It stated that such an arrangement has the potential to trigger political turmoil, encourage disorder, and jeopardize national security.
According to the agency, this kind of parallel structure might inflame divisions among groups and inspire unlawful elements or separatist factions to establish similar frameworks, further endangering the country’s unity and peace.
“The plaintiff, in the discharge of its statutory duties, has gathered intelligence confirming that the defendant’s actions pose a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“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 Constitution and through democratic elections.”
However, Utomi in a charged declaration, announced his planned visit to the residence of late Chief MKO Abiola on June 12, declaring his readiness to face arrest or worse in the name of democratic accountability.
Utomi, who made this known in a series of posts on X, expressed frustration over the state of the Nigerian constitution and what he describes as the deliberate erosion of its principles by those in power.
“Where am I. Will arrive on June 12 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. Four of my friends are in the morgue,” he declared, drawing a chilling parallel to the 1983 assassination of Filipino opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., who was gunned down at an airport upon his return from exile.
Utomi, who has remained a fierce critic of political impunity, lamented what he described as the country’s misplaced priorities, particularly the lack of respect for the constitutional provisions governing political party defections.
“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 from MUST have their seats declared vacant. If DSS enjoys going to court, it should prosecute such,” he said.
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