Pat Utomi Fires Back at APC Over Shadow Cabinet Criticism

Renowned political economist and professor, Pat Utomi, has lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he describes as a panicked and undemocratic response to the unveiling of his shadow cabinet initiative under the Big Tent Coalition.

The controversy erupted after APC spokesperson Felix Morka dismissed Utomi’s move, labelling him an “intellectual drama king.” In a series of pointed posts on X (formerly Twitter), Utomi pushed back, suggesting the ruling party’s criticism betrays a deep-seated fear of public scrutiny.

“Many years ago, Felix Morka sat in the back of my car urging me to do exactly what I’m doing now,” Utomi recalled. “Now I’m a drama king? Many playwrights would love that title. I think I’ll wear it proudly.”

Utomi argued that the APC’s reaction is not only disproportionate but also revealing. “I have never seen a democratic government panic so much because citizens are simply coming together to demand accountability,” he wrote. “There must be so much to hide if scrutiny frightens them this much. How did we sink so low?”

He further criticised the government for missing an opportunity to embrace democratic values. “A mature administration would have welcomed the shadow cabinet as a healthy contribution to public discourse. Instead, what we see is insecurity and suppression of civic engagement,” he said.

See Also

Court gives Nnamdi Kanu final chance to defend himself

Utomi’s shadow cabinet aims to serve as a parallel platform to monitor and critique the performance of Nigeria’s federal government. The initiative is part of his broader movement to mobilise citizens for systemic political reform.

On April 24, Utomi announced plans to rally 7.2 million Nigerians in Abuja for a mass protest dubbed the Freedom Converge—a movement aimed at reclaiming the nation from what he described as “entrenched systems of state capture and self-serving leadership.”