Politics
Kogi Gov Charges PDP On Peaceful Primary
Government Yahaya Bello of Kogi last Monday urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to ensure a peaceful governorship primary election scheduled to hold yesterday.
Bello made the call when he received his Adamawa counterpart, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who was in the state to oversee the PDP primary election for the November 16 governorship poll.
He said his administration had transformed the state from headquarters of crimes to community of safety through sustained investment in the security subsector of the state.
He noted that the recent peaceful conduct of the APC governorship primary was a testament to the peace Kogi was enjoying, stressing his determination to ensure sustenance of peace and harmonious relationship among citizens of the state.
The governor said he had friends and associates who were members of the PDP cohabiting peacefully with their APC counterparts, adding that his administration had been able to bring together the different ethnic groups irrespective of their religious beliefs.
He added that his government’s policy of all-inclusion had been able to convert the state from a PDP – controlled state to an APC-controlled one through good governance
He restated his determination to implement policies and programmes that would bring further goodwill to the state and his party.
Bello enjoined members of the PDP to emulate the APC as they would go into their primary election on Tuesday by conducting the exercise peacefully.
Earlier, Governor Fintiri told Bello that he was in the state with his team for the PDP governorship primary election scheduled for Tuesday and that it was customary to pay homage to the Chief Security Officer of the state.
Fintiri said that he felt at home with his colleague, the Kogi governor.
He assured Bello of peaceful primary election, stressing that the interest of the nation topped the agenda of any political party.
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.