The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised concerns over the recently unveiled shadow government initiative led by political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, warning that its activities and public statements could “mislead segments of the Nigerian public, weaken confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuel public disaffection.”
The shadow cabinet, launched under the aegis of the “Big Tent Coalition,” was introduced as a civic watchdog initiative aimed at scrutinising government policies and promoting accountable governance. The coalition includes public figures such as lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, who has been designated as the group’s ombudsman.
While Utomi has defended the shadow government as a democratic tool modelled on Westminster parliamentary traditions, the DSS has reportedly viewed the move with suspicion, citing national security concerns. Sources within the agency hinted that the shadow cabinet may be interpreted as an attempt to create a parallel structure capable of undermining the authority of the Tinubu administration.
“This is not about any insurrection,” Utomi responded in a recent interview. “It’s about responsible citizenship and pushing governance to work better for the Nigerian people. Holding leaders accountable is not subversion—it’s democracy.”
Critics of the DSS reaction argue that the security agency is overreaching, pointing to precedents in other democracies where opposition figures and civil society actors routinely challenge government policies without fear of legal reprisals. Some have likened the DSS’s stance to historical patterns of suppressing dissent rooted in Nigeria’s military past.
Observers also recall that during the Jonathan administration, current APC figures like Lai Mohammed routinely issued biting critiques of government actions without being deemed threats to national stability. Utomi’s initiative, they argue, falls squarely within the democratic right to opposition and public discourse.
“There is nothing seditious about asking questions or presenting alternative viewpoints,” said a legal analyst. “Democracy thrives when citizens are informed, engaged, and allowed to speak truth to power.”
The shadow cabinet’s formation comes amid widespread concerns over economic hardship, rising insecurity, and dwindling investor confidence in the Nigerian economy. Utomi has cited these conditions as justification for assembling a team to track government performance and recommend alternative solutions.
Meanwhile, some speculate that the broader aim of the Big Tent may be to unify fragmented opposition elements and curb the mass defection of politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). By offering a structured and credible platform, the group hopes to reframe the national conversation around policy performance rather than political patronage.
Despite the backlash, Utomi has vowed that the shadow cabinet will proceed with its mission, stating: “If those in power are secure in the legitimacy of their mandate, they should have nothing to fear from informed dissent.”
As the debate continues, many Nigerians watch closely to see whether this attempt at democratic innovation will be allowed to flourish—or be stifled by state institutions wary of political critique.