Politics
2013, Year Of Diversionary Legislation
The famous German psychologist, Zeighan, once said that people are more likely to remember an event, activity, system, period, etc, when there are more interruptions or diversions than when there are none. Some of these interruptions or diversions, she said, may be pleasant, others may not. But their existence often creates indelible impressions.
Going by her words, Rivers people, Nigerians at large, and indeed the world over, are more likely to remember the State House of Assembly for more reasons order than its primary function of making laws for the good governance of the State in 2013.
The year in the Hallowed Chambers of the House, which commenced in earnest with the passing of the 2013 Appropriation Bill of N490.32 billion into law, soon moved to activities largely dictated by the disagreement between 27 lawmakers, on one side, and the remaining five, on the other side.
The disagreement, widely believed to have started deep into the commencement of the 7th Assembly in 2011 under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, climaxed in the infamous July 9 fracas on the floor of the House, leaving some legislators fatally injured in its wake.
It is noteworthy that in spite of the problem, the Speaker’s team was able to move a motion to invite the Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, to come in and present the matter of the day, which was a bill on Supplementary Budget.
The motion was moved by Robinson Ewor (Ahoada East Constituency), seconded by Deputy Whip, Irene Inimgba (PHALGA 11), and was passed with unanimous votes.
THE LAW SUITS
The anarchy that reigned on July 9 spilled over to July 10. It was followed by various lawsuits. Almost by the day, Attorneys, representing the lawmakers either individually or as a group, filed suits on behalf of their clients. If the suit is not about one form of restrain or the other, it will be seeking for one form of recognition/non-recognition or the other.
In the midst of the suits and counter suits, the cynosure turned out to be the one against the Leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, who was, among other allegations, accused of attempted murder in the heat of passion during the July 9 fracas. The climax of the lawsuits melodrama was the release on bail of Hon. Lloyd.
NASS INTER-VENTION
The events of July 9, in the Rivers State House of Assembly, raised salient questions regarding the neutrality of the State Police Command in the crisis. Beyond this, it also raised questions as to the ability and willingness of the Police to work together with the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the Chief Security Officer of the State.
This was sequel to the alleged compliance of the Police in aiding and abetting five legislators led by Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi, who sought to illegally impeach the incumbent Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dan-Amachree.
Following the state of uneasy calm in the affairs of the Assembly, the National Assembly, NASS, declared taking over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly till further notice. This decision augured well with various interested parties as it momentarily put paid to the then imminent chaos.
In November, a High Court in Abuja revoked the stand of the National Assembly, declaring that it has no power to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, or any other Assembly in the country.
TONYE HARRY’S DEMISE
While the Assembly was on its circumstance-imposed compulsory leave, it lost one of its greatest lawmakers and former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tonye Ezekiel Willie-Harry on October 4, 2013.
The Rivers State Government, his colleagues in the Rivers State House of Assembly, lawmakers at the National Assembly, members of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly of the United Kingdom, representatives of other groups and associations the lat Harry belonged, both within and outside the country, well-wishers and friends took time off to give Tonye, widely regarded as a legislative icon, a befitting burial.
POST NASS INTERVENTION
The declaration of the Abuja court on the incompetence of the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly re-awakened another phase of the crisis in the Assembly. It was between the now 26 acclaimed pro-Governor Amaechi legislators and the five alleged deviant legislators, led by the widely believed self-acclaimed Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Evans B. Bipi.
An attempt by the incumbent Speaker, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee to hold a plenary following the Abuja High Court declaration was foiled by the Police when it threw teargas and shot guns widely to disperse the lawmakers, who they (Police) denied access into the premises of the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the status quo has remained, with the authority of the State Police Command insisting that no legislative activity will take place in the Rivers State House of Assembly until it is furnished with necessary documents regarding the authentic Speaker of the House, who will be allowed to officially convene a plenary.
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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