Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, says he is not afraid to die following a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his launch of a shadow government
DAILY TRUST
Professor Pat Utomi has responded defiantly to a suit filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), declaring, “Death is no big deal.” The DSS had approached a federal court on May 14 to challenge Utomi’s launch of the ‘Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government’, which he unveiled on May 5 as a platform to oppose the Tinubu administration.
In a post on X, Utomi stated, “I am heartened by messages of solidarity… It’s energizing some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS.”
He likened the situation to Nigeria’s military era, writing, “Where am I? Will arrive on June 12… My hands are primed for handcuffs… I submit willing like a lamb led to slaughter.”
Utomi invoked past freedom icons, saying, “To the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jnr… I raise the meaning of being for what is left of my time.”
The federal government sees the shadow cabinet as a threat to democracy.