Political economist Professor Pat Utomi has explained that the creation of a shadow government in Nigeria is a response to the country’s deteriorating political structure, not an attempt to establish a parallel authority. According to him, the initiative is entirely constitutional and falls within the rights of citizens in a democratic society to organize and propose alternatives.

Utomi said the political party system in Nigeria has become ineffective, characterized by a constant shift of politicians between parties for personal gain rather than public service. He pointed out that many politicians switch affiliations simply to avoid scrutiny or to secure electoral advantage, often finding refuge in the ruling party after misdeeds.

He emphasized that the name "shadow government" is symbolic of an alternative approach to governance and policy advocacy. The aim is to offer practical, people-focused solutions to national issues, not to challenge the constitutional order. Utomi criticized those questioning the legality of the coalition, suggesting they were misrepresenting the concept and ignoring citizens' democratic freedoms.

Explaining the framework, he noted that each major area of governance has a designated individual within the shadow cabinet, many of whom are highly qualified Nigerians with international experience. For instance, the defense portfolio is led by a former colonel in the United States Army, while other sectors such as electoral reform and energy are managed by subject-matter experts.

In the power sector, Utomi argued that despite years of heavy spending, Nigeria has remained stagnant due to corruption and poor management. The shadow team, he said, has devised credible strategies that could significantly increase power generation within a decade if properly implemented. He maintained that the ideas developed will be made public, stressing that the group is not concerned with ownership but with national development.

Utomi also mentioned the New Tribe initiative, an independent citizen-driven platform that has brought together professionals, especially in the health sector, to provide quality services in Nigeria without relying on government support. Some of these programmes will be free, while others will be low-cost but comparable in standard to services available in developed countries.

Addressing Nigeria’s political culture, Utomi argued that the country has become trapped in a cycle of continuous electioneering, with little emphasis on governance. He believes this fixation on power and elections has undermined development. For him, it is not the length of time a government stays in power that matters, but the tangible impact it delivers.

Reflecting on his past political involvement, Utomi recounted his role in shaping opposition politics, including early efforts that eventually contributed to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Contrary to claims that the shadow government was formed to oppose any particular administration, he clarified that the idea had been in discussion for nearly two decades.

He expressed openness to collaboration with any individual or coalition committed to meaningful national reform. He recalled moments of personal embarrassment when questioned by international peers about Nigeria’s decline and emphasized the country's lost potential due to poor leadership and shortsighted governance.

On the issue of political defections, Utomi criticized how the constitutional provision against cross-carpeting is being ignored. He noted that in a properly functioning democracy, public officials who defect should lose their positions, but in Nigeria, such moves are often tolerated or rewarded.

He warned of the danger of Nigeria becoming a one-party state, pointing out that this trend would eventually lead to internal power struggles and instability. The lack of a strong, values-driven opposition, he said, is eroding the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.

According to Utomi, one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges is that politics has become materially rewarding rather than service-oriented. This has attracted individuals more interested in personal gain than in nation-building. He argued that public office should be made less financially attractive to deter opportunists and promote genuine public service.

Utomi lamented the erosion of truth-telling in public discourse and warned that unless drastic action is taken, Nigeria could face a future more unstable than Somalia’s past. He called on citizens to reclaim governance and shift the focus from endless political maneuvering to delivering real solutions for the people.

In his view, the ultimate goal of the shadow government is not to compete for political power but to influence how Nigeria is governed. By proposing and publicizing viable alternatives, he hopes to increase pressure on those in power to deliver results and restore citizens' confidence in the democratic process.