Utomi Plans ‘Parallel Government’ In Delta, To Inaugurate Shadow Cabinet In April

Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, professor of political economy and management expert who is largely known as Pat Utomi, is apparently planning a ‘parallel government’ in Delta State.

Utomi who intend inaugurating his shadow cabinet in April says his team would give the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led government a firece opposition that would be devoid of personal attack.

The APC leader who alluded to moves to realign with the Okowa-led government, said his shadow cabinet to be constituted soon would not go personal in its mandate but would be critical to how Delta can be better run in the interest of the people.

BIGPEN ONLINE recalls that Utomi had recently criticized the Okowa-led administration over its education policy and healthcare system, but noted over the weekend that his remarks was not to personally attack the government as many are misconstruing it to mean.

“It is a duty of citizenship to point out what people temporarily charged with Authority to act for the people are not doing well or could do better.

“We, as Deltans, have been delinquent in this regards and that accounts for governance so poor that Anambra which gets a very small fraction of what comes to Delta from the Federation Account has better schools and better health care.

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“Many people in Asaba indeed have to cross the Niger when they are in search of decent healthcare, Utomi said.

According to him, the failure of opposition parties and citizenry to understand their “roles in a democracy is fast reducing it to government of toughs by social media attack dogs for mafia dons of state capture”, adding, “To howl at someone who points this out is to make even Hell roll over in anger”.

The former APC governorship candidate for the Cyril Ogodo-led faction of the party, however likened what he intend doing to the days of Zik and H O Davies who were chieftains of opposing parties who attack each other during the day and at night settle off over a bottle of beer while discussing matters of state.

“There was a time when Zik and H O Davies were chieftains of opposing Parties. They would Campaign all day, criticizing each other’s ideas on how to move the country forward, then in the evening Zik will drive up to HO’s residence and pick him up for a game of Tennis and they finish off with some Beer. That was routine.

“It served society and democracy well. I am determined to move Delta down that track.
In April we will unveil a shadow cabinet for Delta with specific individuals leading the Opposition on different functions of Government.

“Every week the Shadow Cabinet will provide critical pointers to how Delta can be better run in the interest of the people. In doing this we will make no personal attacks or insult anyone, small or big, weak or powerful. All we shall focus on is how Deltans deserve better.

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“We thank our dear Governor and his team for hastening this day we were working towards in the interest of the people of Delta who have been so badly shortchanged for so long. May God bless our leaders and expand their Coast and also give them the Spirit to think first of the people because in serving the people well they will bring blessings to their generations”.