Politics
Rivers PDP Crisis: Youths Warn Wike
Youths under the aegis
of Rivers Ethics and Conduct Group, (RECOG) have called on the former Chief of Staff, Rivers State, and the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike to engage in sincere dialogue with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to resolve the raging political crisis rather than incite the youths against the state governor.
The youths who made the call last Wednesday through the chairman, Bipelle Omoron, after the youths general meeting in Port Harcourt said Rivers people were appreciative of the developmental strides of Governor Amaechi across the state and would never be part of any group determined to stop the wheel of progress in the state.
Comrade Omoron opined that Governor Amaechi had fulfilled his 2011 electioneering campaign promises, insisting that Chief Wike should concentrate on his ministerial assignment rather than use the youths to fan embers of disunity and political crisis in the state.
Narrating how Governor Amaechi had touched the lives of the people of the state in virtually all areas of developments, especially in education, health, road construction, youths empowerment, security, economic development, power supply, among others, he said. Wike and his supporters had no reason to oppose the Governor Amaechi led administration.
Omoron recalled how Chief Wike had before his face off with the Governor, confessed that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was the best Governor among the past Governors that ruled the state since its creation in 1967.
He advised youths to shun attempts by those he described as unscrupulous elements to feather their political nests.
Governor Omoron also urged youths of Rivers State to jettison violence and cultism, and engaged in meaningful activities that would make them become good leaders of tomorrow.
The youth leaders further called on the Police Commissioner in Rivers State, Mbu J. Mbu to dissociate himself from acts capable of compromising security of lives and property in the state.
Reminding Mbu of the career nature of his job, he noted that government would come and go and that whatever he had done today for Nigerians including Rivers State would continue to tell on him and the generation to come.
Enoch Epelle
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.
