Politics
Forum Seeks End To PDP Crisis
Members of
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas of Rivers State under the aegis of Okrika Ethnic Nationality Forum have called on the party leadership to find lasting solutions to the crisis rocking the party in the state.
The Forum Chairman, Elder Dennis George who made the call Friday at Okrika in Rivers State, said the crisis has become a serious hindrance to the developmental strides in the state.
He said, the speedy developmental strides in the past five years state are being disrupted as a results of the face-off among the political leaders, especially between Governor Amaechi and President – Jonathan.
Elder George explained that, five years ago when there was no differences, the state experienced rapid and uninterrupted growth.
He called on both parties in the crises to use the just concluded burial of late Mrs Charity Fyneface Oba, the mother-inlaw of President Jonathan, which incidentally brought almost all the aggrieved parties in the crises together to settle their differences amicably.
Elder George expressed optimism that the crisis would be resolved soon, adding that the burial of late Mrs Charity Oba which made President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi to dance to the admiration and surprise of all at Okrika was a sign of good things to come.
George described the deceased as a humble mother, who always sought peace and unity.
He urged President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan to emulate the sterling of the deceased.
Enoch Epelle
Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State (left), with Director, Port Harcourt Book Festival, Mrs Koko Kalango (middle), during the Port Harcourt Book Festival in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: NAN
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.
