Shadow Government or Civic Protest? Experts Debate What Pat Utomi's Move Really Means

ABUJA – As the Department of State Services (DSS) seeks to shut down Prof. Pat Utomi’s shadow government through legal action, analysts and civic advocates are asking a deeper question: is this a constitutional breach or simply civil dissent in a democracy?

Utomi, a former presidential candidate, recently announced a 39-member "shadow cabinet" designed, according to him, to monitor and critique the Bola Tinubu administration’s policies. But the DSS has dragged him to the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of attempting to unlawfully usurp the executive powers of the president.

“This is more about parallel accountability than parallel authority,” argued Dr. Nkiru Okoye, a political science lecturer. “Shadow governments are common in parliamentary democracies as tools of opposition not subversion.”

The DSS, however, views it differently. In its suit, the agency described Utomi’s initiative as a threat to national security, citing sections of the Nigerian Constitution which vest power solely in democratically elected institutions.

“The so-called shadow cabinet is not just unconstitutional, it is dangerous,” a senior DSS official told reporters. “It sends a message that undermines the legitimacy of the sitting government.”

At the heart of the case is whether Utomi’s formation of the cabinet amounts to civic engagement or an illegal parallel structure. His shadow team includes roles such as Ombudsman, Good Governance advisers, and a Council of Economic Advisers none with formal authority, but with vocal influence online and in the media.

Utomi himself has remained defiant. He insists the move is not a coup attempt or threat to the constitution but an effort to spotlight failings in leadership and hold the government accountable using data, policy critique, and citizen advocacy.

“We are not replacing the government,” Utomi said in a recent interview. “We are replacing the silence and hopelessness with oversight and solutions.”

Legal experts are divided. Some argue that while his action lacks constitutional backing, it doesn’t equate to treason or rebellion. Others believe such a body could set a dangerous precedent for unregulated power structures.

Regardless of the outcome in court, the situation reveals a growing tension between traditional authority and new forms of civic expression, especially in a digital age where influence is no longer tied strictly to official office.

The court has yet to assign a judge or hearing date for the suit. But in the meantime, the debate over what defines “governance” in a democracy is taking centre stage both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion.

Update: The DSS has now taken legal action over the shadow government. Read how this escalated: “Democracy or Dissent? DSS Legal Action Sparks Debate on Opposition Rights.”

For a deeper look at how civil society and legal experts are interpreting Utomi’s move, read: “Shadow Government or Civic Protest? Experts Debate What Pat Utomi's Move Really Means.”