Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has criticized the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for establishing a shadow government in the state, labeling the action as “treasonous.”
Otti, speaking at a meeting with workers’ union leaders, expressed outrage over the move, which he described as an unlawful attempt to undermine the state’s governance. He vowed to pursue legal action against the PDP within the bounds of the law.
The PDP in Abia had recently announced the formation of a shadow government, complete with a “speaker” and “shadow commissioners,” claiming the initiative was intended to hold the ruling administration accountable.
In response, Otti clarified that Nigeria’s presidential democracy does not accommodate shadow governments, a concept rooted in parliamentary systems.
“There’s nothing like a shadow government in a presidential democracy. The problem people have is ignorance, and they refuse to be educated. Shadow governments only exist in parliamentary democracies,” Otti asserted.
The governor described the move as tantamount to forming a “government in exile,” which is not recognized by law and, therefore, constitutes a treasonable act.
Otti further disclosed that the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, has been tasked with addressing the issue within the legal framework.
This development underscores the escalating tension between the ruling Labour Party-led government and the PDP in Abia State.
