Politics
C’River Political Appointees Get Order To Quit
All political appointees in the cabinet of Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State have been directed to resign their appointments this month if they have political ambition.
Governor Imoke who gave the directive while addressing PDP caucus members in Calabar, explained that the need for the appointees to get out was guided by the law to enable them get safe landing in the political ambition.
Imoke told the caucuses that they have a crucial duty to play in the success of the party in the forthcoming elections and assured them of maximum cooperation in the efforts to move PDP to next level of political victory.
Members of the caucus pledged their preparedness to ensure the success of the party in the forthcoming elections while pleading that decisions taken by them should be upheld by the party.
They also commended Governor Imoke for enlarging the caucus and empowering them with the responsibility of selecting and presenting credible candidates and assured that they would neither present cultists nor people with questionable character.
Ntufam Ekpo Okon, State Chairman of PDP in an introductory address, explained that membership of the party caucus which is broad based, was selected on merit with the view of maintaining unity of the party and enjoined members to be steadfast and avoid the habit of jumping ship only to return when they fail in other parties as it will not be tolerated again.
Okon warned against indiscipline in the party, especially at the chapter level, where some have parallel executive, warning that the party leadership will not tolerate such issues.
He said party caucus is not new in Cross River as it is not just an organisation to select candidates, but also provide grounds for good leadership, harmonise the activities of the party, realise its purposes, guide in picking candidates that meet the desires of the people as 2011 is not 2007, and called on them to look for acceptable candidates because they do not represent their wards but the ideals of the party.
The chairman disclosed that members must possess sterling qualities that can unite the party and the people as their decisions should move the party forward with collective interest and not be seen as representatives of groups or factions while women should be encouraged to participate in politics as well as vie for elective posts.
Membership of the party caucus includes serving and past members of the legislature, at national, state and local government levels, state and chapter executives, members of the State Executive Council, National Officers of the party, party stalwarts, political office holders and members of boards and parastatals.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.
