The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed Professor Pat Utomis recent declaration of a big tent coalition shadow government, describing the political economist as an intellectual drama king whose ideas often lack substance and follow-through. Felix Morka, the APCs national publicity secretary, issued a statement criticising Utomis latest initiative, which was unveiled on May 5 as a response to what Utomi called the federal governments policy missteps that have exacerbated poverty and stifled dissent. During the announcement, Utomi said, The recent spate of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria. Morka, however, said Utomi had always been at liberty to express his views and create coalitions, but argued that his current effort lacked realism and credibility. Utomis unilateral declaration of a shadow government, in a presidential democracy, is, in and of itself, an exercise of democratic freedom and free speech, in the extreme, Morka stated. He went further to describe Utomis comparison of Nigerias political environment to Adolf Hitlers Nazi Germany as reckless and irresponsible, saying such statements were beneath Utomis academic credentials and indicative of a descent into sensational and virulent discourse. Morka insisted that the Tinubu administrations tolerance of divergent opinions was demonstrated by the fact that Utomi could make such inflammatory statements without facing repercussions. He also took aim at Utomis political track record, referencing his unsuccessful bid for the APC governorship ticket in Delta State in 2019 and his involvement in Peter Obis 2023 presidential campaign. Simply exploiting and dramatizing what are inevitable initial difficulties associated with the policies Nigerians have had to endure for sustainable growth and prosperity is not genius; it smacks of crass political opportunism and desperation, Morka said. He maintained that the APC has no obligation to instruct opposition parties on managing their affairs, adding that those claiming to possess solutions to Nigerias problems should begin by demonstrating competence within their own ranks. The wave of defections into the APC is a clear endorsement of the visionary and inclusive leadership of President Bola Tinubu, he said. Morka concluded that new APC members are choosing patriotism over partisanship and are committed to helping reposition the country under Tinubus leadership. Utomi, for his part, has vowed to continue his advocacy, recently revealing plans to mobilise 7.2 million Nigerians for a protest tagged Freedom Converge, aimed at challenging what he describes as entrenched state capture and self-serving leadership.
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