Politics
No Plan To Truncate RCHS Bill 2017 -Farah
Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Doctor Farah Dagogo has dismissed claims that the Assembly has abandoned the Rivers State College of Health Science Management Technology bill 2017.
Dagogo in a press statement at the weekend said that the claims by the Rivers State College of Health Science Management Technology Academic and Non-Academic Unions were unfounded.
He explained that the process of passing the bill is still in the process of being endorsed by the legislature and is currently at the committee stage.
Dagogo explained that once that stage is passed, there will be a public hearing to get the inputs of the public on that piece of legislation before it is finally passed.
On why the bill is being pursued, the Degema State Constituency legislator stated that its the vision of he Wike led administration to prioritize education and upgrade state-owned tertiary institutions.
He added: “As a committee, we have established a penchant for doing that which is right and beneficial to our citadel of learning. Those efforts are being reaped and enjoyed by the Rivers State University, Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic and others. It’s our express wish that the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology is not left out”.
Dagogo assured that when the process of passing the bill is done, it will correct the inherent laws.
Also, he said: “we are engaging the executive arm to put to bed any disagreement as regards the originator of the bill.”
“The bill cannot be truncated because of our serious commitment. We are only interested in pursuing and concluding a process that would reposition the institution for all the right reasons,” he emphasised.
Son he further disclosed that a public hearing will be conducted as a way of getting public d inputs on the best way to revamp the college.
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.
