Politics
Waste Management Bill Scales First Reading
An executive bill on Waste Management Agency which was earlier rejected by the Rivers State House of Assembly for containing harsh measures has been repackaged and re-introduced to the House.
Presenting the bill for first reading during last Wednesday’s plenary session, the Leader of government business in the Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, said the bill seeks to repeal the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (ESA) law.
Hon. Lloyd explained that the repackaged Waste Management Agency Bill contained 65 clauses, noting that efforts had been made to remove harsh and contentious issues found in the previous draft.
He remarked that clause four provided that the Ministry of Environment would supervise the agency, while the body would make available to the House Committee on Environment quarterly report of its operations.
The House Leader said the bill had provision for a representative of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State, with other experts to sit on the board.
According to him, clause 43 (2) states that only authorised persons from the agency shall enter premises of private and corporate organisations to enforce sanitation law.
Hon Lloyd disclosed further that offences and penalties were made to have human face, adding that corporate entities would pay more than private individuals.
On defecating or urinating at unauthorised places, the offenders shall pay a fine of N10,000 or made to engage in community service for three days.
The bill was given official seal for first reading by the presiding Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee, who deferred debate on the proposed law to the next sitting date.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late first President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Dr Garrick Leton over the demise of late Mrs Ngozika Eunice Leton.
Hon. Kwanee said that death was for all mortals but expressed sadness that Mrs Leton passed on now that her motherly advice was needed most. He urged the family to take solace in the fact that she was a strong pillar to her late husband who did much for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Responding on behalf of the family, Dr Barinua Leton thanked the Deputy Speaker for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.
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.
