The federal government has condemned prominent economist and political activist, Prof. Pat Utomi, for inaugurating a shadow government composed of members from various opposition parties.

According to Utomi, the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government,” launched virtually on Monday evening, will function as a credible opposition force, highlighting the failures of the Bola Tinubu administration while offering ideas for better governance.

But in a swift reaction, the Federal Government kicked against the move, describing it as an aberration in a federal system of government.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said “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.

The Minister said further that- “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.

“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.”

Utomi justified the move, arguing that policy missteps by the current Federal Government had worsened poverty, driven multinational companies out of the country, and intensified terrorism in Benue and Plateau states, alongside rising insecurity and corruption nationwide.

He expressed concern over what he described as the government’s resort to propaganda and the suppression of opposing views.

“The recent spate of defections to the All Progressives Congress provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

“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,” he said.

The Nigerian Army said the news circulating on social media that it is issuing residential permit to individuals from a particular ethnic group is false and misleading, urging the public to ignore the report.

“The attention of Headquarters 82 Division, Nigerian Army, has been drawn to a misleading video currently circulating on social media that alleges that 14 Brigade is issuing residential permits to individuals of a specific ethnic group,” a statement issued and signed by Ag. Deputy Director 82Div, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col Jonah Unuakhalu said, adding that the claim was entirely deceptive and a calculated attempt to cause disaffection and malicious intent, saying the video in question first surfaced in 2021.

“While the Division generally does not respond to baseless allegations, it is necessary to address this matter in order to set the record straight.

“For context, the residential permit featured in the video belonged to Mr. Ibrahim Saleh, who was intercepted by local vigilantes in 2021 while transiting through Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.

“The matter was thoroughly investigated and fully resolved at the time as the permit in question was issued to him while working in the barracks as part of the Barracks Investment Initiative Programme (BIIP). The BIIP is a Nigerian Army livestock initiative scheme aimed at empowering personnel and their families by providing them with skills and knowledge to engage in agro based businesses, which include rearing of cattle and other animals.

“The permit is purely given to a few Fulani herdsmen employed in the scheme due to their expertise and proper vetting procedure and documentation. It is thereafter retrieved on expiration or termination of employment. The renewed circulation of this outdated content is both misleading and disingenuous.

“The implication that 14 Brigade, or any formation of the Nigerian Army, is selectively issuing residential permits to individuals or any ethnic group is completely unfounded and without merit. Headquarters 82 Division unequivocally dissociates itself from any form of ethnic bias and preferential treatment. The resurfacing of this disproven narrative appears to be a calculated effort to undermine the credibility of the Nigerian Army and provoke unnecessary public anxiety.

“In this era of artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content, we urge the public to remain vigilant and to rely only on accurate and verified information from credible sources. Headquarters 82 Division remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibilities and continues to operate with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and impartiality.

“We also call on all responsible citizens and stakeholders, particularly across the South-East region, to work collaboratively in promoting peace, unity, and mutual trust in the interest of national security and development”. The statement read in part.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has continued to suffer loss of prominent members across the country, especially southern part as the Speaker of Edo State House if Assembly, some local government council chairmen and others have decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, on Tuesday, led 17 local government chairmen, numerous councillors and several notable members of the PDP), during the defection.

He said the move was aimed at aligning with Governor Monday Okpebholo to fast-track development across the state.

Receiving the defectors on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, assured them of equal opportunities within the APC, emphasising the significance of their defection as a milestone for the party’s consolidation in Edo.

Among those who defected with the Speaker are Sunny Ifada, Yekini Idiaye, former Deputy Speaker, Roland Asoro, former House Majority Leader, Nosa Nosayaba and former PDP State Secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba.

Governor Okpebholo welcomed the new entrants into the APC fold, promising that the state is on a path to accelerated growth with the full backing of President Bola Tinubu.

“Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a President who believes in our people. From roads to flyovers, education, youth employment and agriculture, we are investing massively to ensure food security and economic stability,” the governor stated.