Shadow government: Gov Otti knocks PDP

By Jude Opara, Abuja

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has criticised the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in the state for setting up a shadow government in the state, describing it as a treasonous offence.
Otti stated this during a critical meeting with leaders of workers’ unions in the state, vowing to take severe legal action within the framework of the law against the opposition party.
While raising eyebrows over the development, the Governor described the move as baseless and an indication of ignorance about Nigeria’s political structure.
It would be recalled that the opposition PDP in Abia State had announced the formation of a shadow government in the state, appointing a speaker and shadow commissioners, claiming the move was aimed at holding the ruling administration accountable.
Otti clarified that the nation’s presidential democracy is not familiar with the idea of a shadow administration, adding that he had instructed the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, to address the matter decisively within the framework of the law.
“There’s nothing like a shadow government in a presidential democracy. The problem people have is ignorance, and they refuse to be educated. Shadow governments only exist in parliamentary democracies.
“What they have set up is, in essence, a government in exile, and since it is not recognised by law, it is treasonable,” he said.“So, we want to tell Edo people that as few days as the new government has taken off, the projects we have embarked on as a government and as a party, and the steps we have taken so far have endeared us to the hearts of Edo people.
“If the opposition is truly serious, they should please invite ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki to come to Edo for a street walk. We are ready to pay him N50 million for that particular exercise and let us see who the Edo people will embrace,” he said.
Afegbua alleged that the immediate past governor has hired some persons across the state to attack and cast aspersions on APC and its government in the state.
He, however, said that would not distract the government and the party from keeping their eyes on the ball and providing credible projects that would help address the challenges that the state currently faces.