The All Progressives Congress (APC) has sharply criticised Professor Pat Utomi following his announcement of a “big tent coalition shadow government,” describing the move as an act of political opportunism and desperation.

In a statement issued by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, the ruling party dismissed Utomi’s May 5 declaration as theatrics lacking in credibility or substance. Morka labelled the political economist an “intellectual drama king,” accusing him of consistently launching initiatives that fail to deliver tangible results.

Utomi had unveiled the shadow government in response to what he called the federal government’s “policy missteps” that have deepened poverty and suppressed dissent. He also cited the wave of defections to the APC as evidence of a faltering democracy.

Responding, Morka said while Utomi is free to express his views and form coalitions, the concept of a shadow government in a presidential system is both unrealistic and performative. “Utomi’s unilateral declaration of a ‘shadow government’ is, at best, a dramatic expression of democratic freedom taken to the extreme,” he said.

He condemned Utomi’s comparison of Nigeria’s current political climate to Nazi Germany as “reckless” and “beneath the dignity of his academic stature,” warning against the descent into what he called “sensational and virulent discourse.”

Morka further pointed to Utomi’s political history, referencing his failed attempt to secure the APC’s gubernatorial ticket in Delta State in 2019 and his subsequent involvement in Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign.

“Exploiting the initial pains of necessary economic reforms for personal relevance is not a mark of leadership it reeks of crass political opportunism,” Morka added.

The APC spokesperson maintained that the Tinubu administration’s openness to criticism is evidenced by Utomi’s freedom to make such provocative statements without fear of censorship or reprisal. He also defended recent policy decisions as necessary steps toward long-term growth and prosperity.

Morka concluded by saying that the influx of new members into the APC demonstrates widespread support for President Tinubu’s leadership, calling it “a patriotic alignment” beyond party lines.

Meanwhile, Utomi has pledged to continue his advocacy efforts, including the planned mobilisation of 7.2 million Nigerians for a protest campaign dubbed “Freedom Converge,” aimed at challenging what he describes as systemic state capture and self-serving leadership.