The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently announced the establishment of a “Shadow Cabinet” to pilot PDP’s “road map towards national economic recovery and good governance,” which received wide recognition from the Media, but another political party had already been using the system long before now.
A shadow cabinet is a group of politicians who hold a political post with their party, but whose party are not in government.
A member of the shadow cabinet is a ‘shadow minister’, while the leader of a shadow cabinet is called the Leader of the Opposition.
In a statement on Friday, National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Kola Ologbodiyan, said the cabinet is part of the resolutions reached by the Party’s National Executive Council (NEC), that was held in Abuja.
Ologbodiyan said PDP is ready to rescue the nation from, what he described as, the misrule of the APC and lead the Country to good governance in line with the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians, ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“That the PDP leads a strong conversation and discussion towards a formal coalition of democratic forces to guarantee Nigerians the much desired all-inclusive platform ahead of 2019 general elections.
“That the PDP deploys the instrument of its Democratic structures at all levels across the country to legitimately and urgently rally all Nigerians to vote out the APC and return the nation to the path of national cohesion, stability and prosperity for the good of all.”
The party also called for the immediate prosecution of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and all those allegedly involved in Wednesday’s invasion of the National Assembly, which led to the whisking away of the legislative Mace.
It urged Nigerians to condemn the assault on the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and declared the invasion as a direct attack on the sovereignty of Nigeria and her integrity as a democratic nation.
The Party that first introduced the concept of Shadow Cabinet
The Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) had mentioned Shadow cabinet as part of its policies frequently.
ANRP is a new party registered in December 2017, said to be formed for the purpose of increasing the participation of young people in the governance of their fatherland, without prejudice to, and without alienating other demographics.
It also said its focus is bringing back the abundance for which Nigeria is known – in terms of human and material resources, and ensuring that that abundance is shared by all (shared prosperity).
The party boasts of having 38292 registered members, as it claims to be the “most transparent political party” in Nigeria.
On its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) on its website, Question 13 was about the party’s Shadow Government to which it responded that it is one of “ANRP’s numerous innovations.”
“Even though we don’t run a parliamentary system in Nigeria, the concept of a shadow Government is key even in our Presidential system. We believe it is important for a Country like ours especially with perennial mismanagement and unpreparedness.
“Our shadow cabinet shall mirror the cabinets of the governments in power to interrogate their policies and activities and provide better alternatives according to THIS IS OUR OWN (the name of our party manifesto).”
The Party iterated that its purpose of creating the cabinet is to stay engaged on issues of the day on a continual basis, which would be an added advantage to them when they get into governance.
When the Chairman of the party, Tope Fasau, was interviewed by Premium Times in early April, he also re-echoed the plans of the Party.
“No party in Nigeria has our kind of organic diversity. Forget the two big parties which have been spending Nigeria’s commonwealth to get big. The people there are united by the money. We are united by the passion.
“Remember we also have shadow Ministers in our Constitution. The list will be unveiled soon.”
About Shadow Cabinet
The basic aim of Shadow Cabinet is always to provide a better alternative to the Government in power through debates on issues and matters affecting the Country.
For example, A Minister in a Shadow cabinet of AAA would debate with the corresponding Minister of Government, on matters affecting his Ministry to show that he (Shadow Minister) can perform better than the Minister in Power.
They engage in this to make the Government responsible and accountable and also to share party ideas and policies.
Though, members of the Shadow cabinets might not be appointed when the Party finally get to power.
Countries like Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand have major Opposition Party which operate Shadow Cabinets known as “Her Majesty Loyal Opposition”.
