Politics
RSIEC Releases Guidelines On Grants To Parties
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that the commission will not pay election grants to political parties without an office in the state capital, nothwithstanding their expression of interest to be part of the June 16 2018 local government election.
The Chairman/Chief Electoral Commissioner of RSIEC, Justice Chukwuneye Uriri (retired) who gave the warning in the guideline and timetable released last week, said political parties which have indicated interest to participate in the elections shall be eligible for grants fixed by the commission for the purpose of conducting their primary elections for the nomination of candidates for elections.
Justice Uriri noted that only political parties that have verifiable offices within Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local Government Area, would be given grants.
He also revealed that subsequent grants to these political parties shall be on a pro-rata basis in relation to the number of chairmanship and councillorship seats for which the candidates of the political parties have been successfully screened.
The RSIEC boss warned that political parties, candidates or supporters should not use any property or house belonging to the government before the election and also should not hold meeting in public buildings or places of worship.
According to him,’’ campaigns of other political party or candidates shall not be disrupted or obstructed as he directed all participating political parties to submit comprehensive election campaign schedule to the commission for clearance’’.
He further warned political parties and candidates that no nomination shall be valid unless the sum of #5,000 for councilor and #10,000 for chairman and vice chairman are paid to the commission through bank draft to the commission’s account at the time of delivery of the nomination paper.
Uriri however said every candidate may appoint a Party Agent to each polling station or unit in the area for which he is a candidate in other to ensure that the interest of the candidate is protected.
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.
