Politics
Kudos To Wike Over Projects
In the past two weeks, Nigerian heavy weights have continued to troop into Rivers State to commission one project or the other.
These top personalities cut across party platforms, tribe, religion and any major divide in the country.
The former Head of State, Gen Abdusalami Abubakar, erstwhile Governor of Delta State. Chief James Ibori. Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu Senate Minority Leader and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, and PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus amongst others , were in the state to individually commission various projects executed by Governor Wike.
Last week, Rivers State also played host to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, as well as the Speaker , House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara who came to commission the Abacha Road and the Woji- Elelenwo Dual Carriage Way and Bridge, respectively.
At the commissioning ceremony, each of the personalities had expressed delight at the huge projects especially at a period when economy of the nation is faced with recession.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe declared that Rivers people are lucky to be blessed with a governor as Wike, saying the Governor is a man committed to fulfill promises he made to the people.
Wike explained that the feat became possible because of his administration’s ability to prudently manage the available resources in the state and the great love he has for the people of the state who gave him their mandate to be their Governor and promised to continue to give them good governance and more people-oriented projects in return.
Wike, last Friday alerted, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) is inviting the contractors doing projects in the state over the authenticity of the numerous projects, suspecting that the projects are fake.
He also alleged that Federal Government has excluded Rivers State from the refund to States the money they used in executing Federal projects in the various state in spite of the fact that some of the projects he executed in Rivers State are their responsibilities.
Another major event in Government House last week was the investiture of Governor Wike as a Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Rivers State Charter.
The N I P R also honoured the governor with its Honorary Fellow Award.
The National President of the body, Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, who performed the ceremony said the honor was in recognition of the massive infrastructural development being experienced in the state as a result of Wike’s good governance.
Chris Oluoh
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.