Politics
Imo Assembly Seeks Prosecution Of REC, RO …As More Members Decamp To APC
Twenty one members of the Imo State House of Assembly including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins, have asked that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ezeonu and the Returning Officer of the 2019 Imo governorship election, Prof. Francis Otunta be prosecuted for violating the electoral act by illegally declaring Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party winner of Imo governorship election.
This call was contained in a motion moved by the member representing Obowo state constituency, Kennedy Ibeh and cosponsored by twenty other members.
Leading debate, Kennedy Ibeh stated that the country’s constitution has made it clear that the Supreme Court is and remains the highest arbiter of the judiciary hence, its pronouncements are final.
He cited the electoral requirements, which will satisfactorily qualify one to be declared winner of an election. That, he insisted were not met by the PDP candidate, Emeka Ihedioha, querying the audacity of the presiding REC and RO to have declared him (Ihedioha) winner.
According to the motion, the one-fourth constitutional spread as enshrined in the electoral act was not considered by the electoral umpire.
In the same vein, he asked that a vote of confidence be passed on the Apex Court for rekindling the hope of the people by restoring senator Hope Uzodinma as the true winner of the election.
Frank Ugboma of Oguta state constituency spoke in contrary, reminding members of the sacrosanct nature of the law which does not permit the legislative arm of government to pass a vote of confidence on the executive.
He spoke when over twelve members had supported the motion and the speaker, Chiji Collins put the debate to vote, the I’s had.
Meanwhile, among other members who decamped to the ruling APC are Samuel Otuibe of Ahiazu-Mbaise state constituency from the PDP and his Orlu counterpart, Pascal Okolie as well as Uju Onwudiwe of Njaba who defected from the Action Alliance.
The lawmakers entrance to the APC yesterday increased the number of defectors so far to twenty one.
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.