A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), [Insert Full Name], has thrown his weight behind the Department of State Services (DSS) for scrutinizing Professor Pat Utomi’s recent proposal to establish a shadow government, stating that the security agency acted within its constitutional mandate.

The legal luminary, speaking to journalists in Abuja on [Insert Date], said while freedom of expression and association are constitutionally protected, any political move perceived to challenge Nigeria’s sovereignty or threaten national stability warrants careful legal and security evaluation.

“The DSS has every right to question the motives and framework of such a proposal,” the SAN said. “A shadow government, in political theory, may serve as a tool for accountability. However, in Nigeria’s fragile political climate, it must be approached with caution and transparency to avoid legal ambiguities or perceptions of insurrection.”

Professor Utomi, a political economist and former presidential aspirant, recently announced plans to form a shadow government aimed at offering alternative policy solutions and holding the current administration accountable. The move has sparked debate across political and legal circles.

While some civil society groups view Utomi’s plan as a democratic innovation, others argue it may encroach on constitutional boundaries and create confusion within the public space.

The SAN emphasized the importance of striking a balance between democratic expression and national security. “Nobody is above the law. If the DSS suspects that the structure or language of a group could incite unrest or be misconstrued as a parallel authority, they are right to investigate,” he said.

He also urged public figures to exercise prudence in political advocacy, stressing that governance reform should be pursued through legal and institutional channels rather than symbolic gestures that could be misinterpreted.

The DSS has yet to issue a formal charge or indictment but has maintained that it will continue to monitor activities capable of undermining national unity.