Politics
Baseless Defection: Wike Seeks Judicial Pronouncement
Last week, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, initiated a move towards checking baseless defections as he called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to challenge in court, the defection of the Governors of Ebonyi and Cross River States, David Umahi and Ben Ayade, respectively, who defected from PDP to APC.
The Governor also stated that same action should be taken against state and Federal lawmakers from the two states who left PDP with their state governors , stressing that time has come for the nation’s judiciary to make a pronouncement on defection.
Wike who made the call last Saturday in Port Harcourt expressed fear that if the trend was not properly checked it could push the country to a one Party state.
“ The time has come that the judiciary must have to rise to the occasion to make a final Pronouncement on the issue of defection and that will go a long way to strengthen our democracy. Because if we do not take action, you will find a situation where you will have a one Party state and that will not be good for our democracy.
“ And so, I have encouraged the PDP, they must file a suit against the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, for defecting to the APC without any reason provided in the constitution or any other enabling law “ , Gov Wike said.
Also last week, the Rivers State Governor inaugurated some fire fighting facilities of the Federal Fire Service at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The facilities were; one truck, one water tanker and basic life support ambulance.
Speaking at the event, Gov Wike stressed the need for allocation of social basic amenities by the Federal Government to states to be devoid of politics.
He said that the distribution of basic infrastructural projects and social amenities to states by the central government on the basis of political affiliation has become the bane of development in the country.
He commended the Minister of Interior , Rauf Aregbesola, for rising above petty politics to identify with the state, noting that deployment of the fire fighting facilities would further help in protection of lives and property in the state.
Gov Wike announced a donation of two utility vehicles and N5million monthly subvention to the Federal Fire Service in the state to enhance their operational capability.
The Minister of Interior , Rauf Aregbesola who was represented at the event by his Special Assistant, Mr Bola Ilori, urged states to consider the issue of fire prevention and safety as matter of serious concern. He said the deployment of the equipment to Rivers State was in recognition of the state’s strategic importance to the country.
Another major event last week in Brick House was the litigation victory recorded by Rivers State against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over who has the constitutional rights to collect Value Added Tax and other related taxes in the state.
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt declared that it is Rivers State instead of FIRS that should collect Value Added Tax (VAT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) in the state.
The court presided over by Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam, also issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Attorney General of the Federation, both first and second defendants in the suit, from collecting, demanding, threatening and intimidating residents of Rivers State to pay to FIRS, Personal Income Tax (PIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) .
Justice Pam made the assertion while delivering judgement in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/149/2020, filed by the Attorney General for Rivers State (plaintiff) , against the FIRS ( first defendant) and the Attorney General of the Federation ( second defendant).
The court granted all the eleven reliefs sought by the Rivers State Government and declared that there is no constitutional basis for the FIRS to demand for and collect VAT, Withholding Tax, Education Tax and Technology Levy in Rivers State or any other state of the federation, .
According to Pam, after a deligent review of the issues raised by both the plaintiff and the defendants, the plaintiff has proven beyond doubt that it is entitled to all the eleven reliefs it sought in the suit.
Also within the week under review, Gov Wike accused the Imo State Government of masterminding a plot to take over some oil wells belonging to Rivers State.
Gov Wike made the allegation while speaking as guest on the Africa Independent Television’s programme, FOCUS Nigeria in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said Imo State Governor made an attempt to compromise the National Boundary Commission to cede Rivers State oil Wells to Imo State.
“ We filed a suit at the Supreme Court in 2020 believing that Imo State Government will file their defence, but as I speak to you, they have not filed their defence. I have never seen a very corrupt Commission like the boundary Commission. Unknown to us, instead of the Imo State Government to file their defence, they went to the boundary Commission, met with them to adjust the boundary, but we got the information”, Gov Wike said.
By: 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.
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