Laolu Akande Talk Say Pat Utomi Shadow Government No Be Threat

ABUJA, Nigeria – Laolu Akande, former presidential spokesperson and political analyst, don dismiss concerns wey dey surround Professor Pat Utomi shadow government idea, calling am harmless expression of political thought. For an interview wey happen on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Akande urge the State Security Services (SSS) to focus on more pressing issues instead of targeting Utomi’s initiative.

Akande response come after SSS file legal action against Utomi o, claiming say he dey try to unlawfully usurp power from President Bola Tinubu. The court action wey dem file on May 14, 2025, for Federal High Court wey dey Abuja, suggest say Utomi dey pose threat to national security with this shadow government thing wey he don form.

“I go advise the DSS make dem no bother too much,” Akande talk. “Dem get more important things wey dem suppose face. Just leave Utomi alone; he dey have fun.”

Utomi, wey be 2007 presidential candidate for African Democratic Congress, don unveil a 39-man shadow government recently, claiming say e wan challenge the poor governance wey he dey see under the current administration. He talk say na emergency response to Nigeria’s political situation, but SSS don label am illegal.

The SSS argue say, through public statements and social media, Utomi dey try to challenge the legitimacy of the elected government of President Tinubu. Dem dey accuse am say him shadow government fit mislead public opinion and create political unrest.

During the inauguration of the shadow cabinet, Utomi assign roles to different individuals, including Dele Farotimi for Ombudsman and Good Governance, and other team members like Oghene Momoh and Cheta Nwanze.

Akande highlight say the current political space for Nigeria get serious vacuum, criticizing opposition parties like Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) for failing to contest ideas with the ruling party. “The opposition don completely lose that footing,” e add.

Although he commend Utomi for trying to fill the leadership gap, Akande express doubt over the long-term viability of the shadow government initiative. “I don’t see am as something wey go last. E just dey tell us say this space dey empty; we no fit leave am for vacuum.”

Utomi reaction to the legal actions against him, he don say he ready to face the system. “I go show up on June 12 and go Abiola’s house. My hands dey prepared for handcuffs. Death no be big deal,” e talk, as e declare say he go continue to stand for wetin him believe in.

As the case unfold for court, Akande and other political analysts dey watch as dis situation go change the political landscape for Nigeria.