By Atoyebi Nike
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeboro Adamson, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for its decision to file a legal challenge against the formation of a shadow government by former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi. Speaking on Arise TV on Sunday, Adamson described the DSS’s action as a “civilised and constitutional response” to what it views as a potential threat to national stability.
Professor Utomi, a renowned political economist and opposition figure, recently announced the formation of a “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government.” The initiative, according to Utomi, is aimed at monitoring the performance of the current administration, exposing governance gaps, and proposing alternative policy strategies across critical sectors such as education, health, and security.
The announcement has stirred political debate, with concerns raised over the legality of such a parallel structure in a constitutional democracy. Reacting, the DSS approached the courts, arguing that the formation of a shadow government could amount to subversion under its statutory responsibilities.
Adamson supported the agency’s move, saying, “The DSS has a mandate, which includes the detection and prevention of subversion, terrorism, and espionage. If one of the mandates of the DSS is to prevent subversion, how do we situate the statement of the erudite professor that he has assembled people who will man what he tagged a shadow cabinet?”
He further explained that the DSS had taken the most lawful route in choosing to seek judicial clarification rather than opting for a criminal investigation or arrest. “Some might ask why the DSS chose a civil suit over a criminal one? My answer is that the DSS has chosen to submit to the courts to determine if the actions and utterances of the revered professor can be situated within the confines of the Constitution. This is a civilized way of doing things,” Adamson noted.
The development has also drawn criticism from political figures. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, described the shadow government as an act of treason. Writing on his social media platforms, Omokri stated, “What Professor Utomi is doing is not activism. It is treason. You cannot create a shadow government in a country with a constitutionally elected President. That is a coup by other means.”
In response, Professor Utomi defended the legality of his initiative, insisting it is not a bid to usurp governmental authority but a patriotic response to national challenges. “This is not an attempt to overthrow the government. It is a national emergency response. We will observe, critique and offer alternatives in education, health, security, and governance,” Utomi said during the launch of the coalition.
The DSS’s approach, now under public and legal scrutiny, underscores the delicate balance between civil liberties, political expression, and national security in Nigeria’s democratic space. The court’s eventual decision may provide clearer guidance on the constitutional boundaries of political opposition in the country.
