Nigerian politicians don’t know why they were elected – Utomi

• Prioritize national unity over tribe, religion–Nana Kazaure

By Jude Opara, Abuja

As politicians continue to defect from one party the other ahead of the 2027 elections, the Convener of the Shadow Government, Professor Pat Utomi, has said the trend shows lack of understanding of the reasons behind elections.

Prof. Utomi who spoke on Wednesday at a news conference in Abuja said the situation tells of institutional failure and decay of democratic ideals; even as also argued that the Shadow Government aims at enhancing governance through ideological clarity and diligence.

It could be recalled that the Shadow Government had upon formation received an immediate backlash from the federal government with the Department of State Services (DSS) who equally urged the court to declare it illegal and an attack on the Constitution.

The respected political economist while commenting on the coalition by some political interests, advised those involved to focus on providing good governance, as against focusing on electoral victories.

According to Utomi, the coalition should not be seen as merely an electoral vehicle but rather as a value-driven platform with a clear ideological orientation.

“Our prayer is that they remember it should not just be about winning elections . . . They should work on how to govern, because that’s the major problem we have in Nigeria.

“We wake up one day and the only news that seems to matter is who has defected, it means that those people, from the onset, did not understand why they were elected.

“Our democracy has suffered very, very badly. We have become part of the theatre, and we’re cheering as the country is dying,” he regretted.

He added that the shadow government comprises individuals from opposition parties who are assigned to monitor specific government departments and policy areas.

In her remarks, the Shadow Minister for Communication and Public Orientation, Nana Sani Kazaure called for a shift in public discourse and ideology.

While praising Prof. Utomi for assembling the Shadow Cabinet she equally urged Nigerians to prioritise national unity and development over ethnic, religious, or partisan divisions.