Politics
LG Boss Cautions On Ele Community’s Stool
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Mrs Mary Minaseichinbo says nobody should parade himself as the traditional ruler or Amanyanabo of Ele Community.
Minaseichinob handed down the warning during a peace meeting she held with the factional claimants to the stool stakeholders of the community held at the local government council hall.
According to her, the council will not tolerate any act of lawlessness that would bring crisis in the area and further called on the leaders of the two factions that are parading themselves as the Amanyanabo of Ele community to desist forthwith till further notice, as the law enforcement agents have also been directed to take appropriate action against any one that violates the order.
She however frowned at one of the factions that failed to attend the meeting.
The Ogu/Bolo CTC Chairman enjoined all to embrace the prevailing peace in the community as no meaningful development could thrive in an atmosphere of rancor and acrimony.
Mrs Minaseichinbo warned that none of the self-acclaimed traditional ruler or Amanyanabo of Ele Community should use their letter headed papers with such title and send mails to the companies in the area and also called on the companies operating within the area and the public to disregard such claims, while appealing for the cooperation of all and sundry to maintain the peace in the interest of the community.
In their separate speeches, a former Commissioner for Commence and Industry Barr. Vincent Nemieboka and an elder in Ele Community, Dennis Dago also sued for peace and unity, adding that with unity and brotherly love, an atmosphere that is conducive for the proper installation of a traditional ruler or Amanyanabo could be ????? and thanked the Ogu/Bolo CTC Chairman for having the interest of Ele community at heart.
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.
