A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has ordered that court documents be served on Professor Pat Utomi over his alleged involvement in the creation of a “shadow government” in Nigeria.

The order comes as the court prepares to hear a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which claims Utomi’s actions pose a serious threat to the country’s constitutional order.

In the ex parte motion presented by DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, the court granted permission for the documents to be served on Utomi via courier at his Lagos address.

The case has been scheduled for hearing on June 25, by which time Utomi is expected to have responded.

The DSS argues that Utomi’s alleged attempt to establish a parallel governance structure is unlawful and could destabilize the nation.

In court filings dated May 13, the DSS stated that the proposed shadow government “constitutes a grave attack on the Constitution and a threat to the current democratically elected government.”

The agency contends that the formation of such a body could incite unrest and embolden separatist groups.

“If left unchecked, it might incite political unrest, cause inter-group tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which pose a grave threat to national security,” the DSS warned.

According to the suit, the DSS wants the court to declare the alleged “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” as unconstitutional and to issue an injunction permanently restraining Utomi, his agents, and associates from moving forward with the initiative.

The security agency specifically seeks a declaration that under Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), “the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution… is unconstitutional, null, and void.”

The DSS argues that “the purported ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ being planned by Utomi and his associates” amounts to “an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognized by the Constitution.”

Asserting its legal mandate, the DSS said in a supporting affidavit that it serves as Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence and security agency, responsible for detecting and preventing threats to the country’s internal stability, including subversive activities.

“The defendant (Utomi), through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria,” the DSS stated.

The agency further alleged, “The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government, contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

According to the suit, the DSS has been monitoring Utomi’s activities through “intelligence reports and open source material, public statements and interviews,” in which he publicly referenced the formation of a parallel cabinet and its designated “ministers.”

“Based on the intelligence gathered by the plaintiff, the activities and statements made by the defendant and his associates are capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuelling public disaffection,” the agency stated.

“It is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal,” the DSS concluded.

Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed, who previously served as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Chairman for the Northwest, has been selected to head the secretariat of a newly formed political coalition positioned to counter President Bola Tinubu’s influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources close to the coalition confirmed the development to Vanguard, revealing that during a strategic meeting held on Tuesday night, members finalized key structural decisions, including the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the coalition’s official political platform.

“Yes, it’s true. Off the record, yes,” the source confirmed.

“The ADC has been adopted as the coalition’s platform, and the secretariat will be headed by Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed.”

Dr. Lukman’s leadership role marks a significant political shift, especially in the Northwest, where he is known to command considerable grassroots support and political leverage.

The move is viewed as a substantial setback for the APC, particularly in a region considered vital for national electoral outcomes.

Though the coalition has not yet released a public communiqué detailing its plans, sources indicate that it is built on a complex mix of interests and requires careful management of internal dynamics.

“You know, the coalition is like a polygamous family. You have to learn to manage the egos of politicians, as they tend to have very big egos,” the insider said.

Dr. Lukman’s alignment with the coalition, despite his former high-ranking role within the APC, points to deeper political realignments and efforts to consolidate opposition momentum in the North.

The source further emphasized the need for inclusivity within the group.

“Even if the first child of the first wife is 30 years older, all first children are treated as equals. It’s about treating everyone as co-equals,” the source noted, highlighting the coalition’s emphasis on unity and equal representation.

Although the coalition’s full agenda remains undisclosed, the strategic adoption of the ADC and the appointment of a prominent political figure like Dr. Lukman indicate an organized push to challenge the APC’s grip on power.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai have reportedly come together to form a new political alliance.

The trio has unanimously agreed to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the official platform for their emerging opposition coalition.

The decision was reached during a strategic meeting held on Tuesday night, which extended into the early hours of Wednesday.

A source familiar with the closed-door meeting, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed the formation of the coalition to DAILY GAZETTE.

“They have adopted the African Democratic Party as the coalition party, all of them (Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai) are working together,” the source revealed.

Providing more details about the meeting, the insider added, “they came to the conclusion at a meeting last night, which lasted up till the early hours of this morning. You know politicians meet when we are asleep.”

The meeting, attended by major stakeholders and leaders of the emerging coalition, also led to the formation of various committees tasked with fine-tuning the alliance’s framework.

“All the leaders and stakeholders of the coalition were there, they set up committees to dot the Is and cross the Ts while preparing the way for the eventual public unveiling of the coalition,” the source explained.

While the exact date for the official unveiling remains undecided, the insider assured that it is on the horizon.

“There is none for now, but it will be sooner than later, very soon,” the source said.

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to promptly implement the approved pension increments and release all outstanding palliatives allocated to pensioners.

This directive was made during plenary as lawmakers addressed the continued hardship faced by senior citizens across the country.

The appeal was directed to key federal institutions including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Humanitarian Services, the Office of the Accountant-General, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

Presenting a motion of urgent national importance, Rep Ibrahim Ayokunle decried the dire living conditions of many pensioners, who he said are being forced to endure persistent suffering despite their years of service to the nation.

“Many pensioners across the country continue to suffer from inadequate income, inability to meet basic needs, and deteriorating health conditions due to these unresolved issues,” the motion read.

He recalled that in October 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved a N25,000 wage award as a palliative and an additional N32,000 increment for federal pensioners.

However, lawmakers expressed dismay that the implementation of these measures has largely stalled.

Ayokunle emphasized that the continued delay in executing these approved benefits undermines constitutional obligations related to citizens’ welfare and social justice.

“The non-implementation of approved pension increments and withholding of palliative measures undermine these constitutional principles and threaten social stability,” he stated.

The lawmaker also highlighted numerous unanswered petitions from pensioners and advocacy organizations, underscoring the urgency of government intervention.

“There is a need to uphold the dignity and welfare of our senior citizens,” he added.

Following deliberations, the House adopted a series of resolutions:

It requested the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Pension Commission to undertake a full audit of current pension payments.

It recommended establishing a dedicated task force to oversee the enforcement of pension-related policies and to handle grievances efficiently.

It urged state governments to follow the federal government’s lead in prioritizing pensioners’ welfare.

It encouraged collaboration between the Nigerian Pensioners’ Association and relevant government agencies to enhance oversight and advocacy efforts.

It also mandated its Committees on Finance, Pensions, Labour & Employment, Humanitarian Services, and Legislative Compliance to monitor and ensure the complete execution of these resolutions.

The Senate has moved forward with a legislative proposal aimed at formalizing the employment of domestic workers, apprentices, interns, and other informal sector employees in Nigeria.

The bill successfully passed second reading during plenary on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), the bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Regulate and Formalize the Employment of Domestic Workers, Apprenticeships, Interns and Other Informal Sector Employees and to Empower the National Directorate of Employment to Issue Licenses and Monitor Privately Owned Employment Agencies in Nigeria, and for Other Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 629),” seeks to introduce structured oversight in the informal employment landscape.

The legislation proposes empowering the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to license and regulate privately run employment agencies.

These agencies would be required to register workers in a centralized database, ensure adherence to agreed terms and conditions, and guarantee social security coverage.

While leading the debate, Senator Musa emphasized the urgent need to address long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s informal labour market, which remains largely unregulated and often neglects workers’ welfare.

“The informal sector is often a residual labour market where income is not largely wage-dependent, working time is discretionary, and some jobs go unpaid,” Senator Musa said.

He stressed that the bill is aligned with global labour standards and seeks to improve working conditions across the informal sector.

“This bill is designed to correct the decent work deficit by promoting fair treatment, decent remuneration, and protection of workers’ rights in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

The bill also outlines clear criteria for employment agencies to qualify for licensing. These include full legal registration, transparent financial operations, and a clean compliance record.

Agencies must keep accurate records of staff and business operations, while designated NDE officers will be responsible for enforcement and compliance monitoring within their jurisdictions.

Senator Musa noted the bill’s potential to eliminate exploitative practices and provide a safety net for informal workers, who represent a significant portion of Nigeria’s workforce.

“This bill is a significant step toward formalizing the informal labour market and ensuring decent work conditions for millions of Nigerians. It also aims to improve data collection, workforce planning, and social security coverage for informal workers,” he added.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity for further legislative scrutiny. The committee is expected to return with its recommendations within six weeks.

If enacted, the bill is expected to introduce fairer employment practices, elevate job quality, and extend legal protections to workers across Nigeria’s vast informal sector.