Politics
Buhari Doesn’t Deserve A Second Term -N’Delta Agitators
A coalition of ex-Niger
Delta agitators has said that President Muhammadu Buhari does not deserve a second term, accusing him of tribalism and lack of political will to end killings in some parts of the country.
The ex-militants in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt accused the president of shielding members of his government allegedly found culpable in corrupt offences.
The statement was signed by General John Duku, for the ‘Niger Delta Watchdogs’/Convener, ‘Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators’, General Ekpo Ekpo on behalf of ‘Niger Delta Volunteers,’ General Simple Benjamin for the ‘Bakassi Strike Force’ and eleven other militant groups.
The groups also slammed dreaded militants: “The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers” (RNDA) for adopting President Buhari for re-election in 2019, saying such decision is self-serving and did not represent the opinion of the Niger Delta people.
The Tide recalled that the RNDA had recently endorsed President Muhamadu Buhari for re-election in 2019, claiming that he has performed better for the Niger Delta than any of his predecessors.
But the coalition of ex-agitators said, “While we acknowledge the right of the RNDA to adopt, support and vote for any candidate of their choice, we want to state categorically clear that the RNDA did so in their own selfish and pecuniary interest.
“It is not in the overall interest of the Niger Delta people or militants as they did not consult or seek opinion of the people that matters in Niger Delta struggle before their hasty adoption of a person who has divided the country along the ethnic lines than he met it.”
They said the incumbent federal administration has reneged on many of its promises, including the lack of infrastructure in the country.
The statement reads, “We want to ask the RNDA and the federal Ggvernment the following questions: where is the much publicised coastal rail Line they promised that would link the Niger Delta states with Lagos? Where are the modular refineries they promised? Why is it so hard for President Buhari to implement the 16-point demand of the PANDEF that led to our cease-fire in 2016 till now?
“How many years would it take the federal government to complete the East-West road? Why are the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NDDC and the Amnesty Office underfunded? While we acknowledge that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did not do much for the Niger Delta people, we commend him for the massive projects he executed in the North: his fair distribution of appointments, respect to the rule of law and upholding the unity of the country when it matters most.
“The present administration under Buhari is a total failure without any infrastructure, the country’s debt profile under him has skyrocketed within three years and killings across the country has become a norm.
“With all sense of responsibility, President Buhari does not deserve a second term and should be shown a way out. The recent appointment of a retired officer from the North, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, in preference to Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, a Niger Deltan, is a case in point.
”The treatment of indicted members of his government found culpable in various corrupt and criminal offences as sacred cows has also proven the President as very tribalistic and self-centered.”
The ex-militants however called people of the Niger Delta to remain calm, focused and disregard the endorsement by the RNDA, saying “At the
Appropriate time we shall consult widely and adopt a candidate that shall ensure that the resources of the Niger Delta people are properly utilized and fairly distributed for the overall benefit of the region.
”A person that has the mental capacity, charisma and political will to bring Nigeria out of the present failure, “it concluded.
Dennis Naku
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.
