Politics
Security Issues Take Centre Stage As Wike Warns Trouble Makers
Security attentions dominated activities in the Brick House last week as Governor Nyesom Wike made a state wide broadcast, Friday in response to the violent activities of the agitating Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the state, particularly Oyigbo Local Government Area which led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Governor Wike who condemned the attacks in the broadcast said the state fully subscribes to Nigeria’s corporate existence and its indivisibility, hence, its resolve to support the unity of the nation and commitment towards actualising the collective aspirations for a just, inclusive and progressive nation.
He warned trouble makers, especially those bent on causing violence on others to steer clear of Rivers territory as the state government would not hesitate to deal decisively with any threat to peace and security in the state.
The Governor said, “Rivers State belongs to all those who live in it. We heartily welcome any Nigerian who wishes to reside and go about with his or her lawful businesses.
“Therefore, we shall not tolerate any attack by any group on other Nigerians living in Oyigbo or any other part of the state. We warn trouble makers, those who are bent on causing violence on others to steer clear of Rivers territory”.
He said in as much as Nigerians may share common concerns about the structural problems of the country, there was need to approach such concerns through dialogue and urged the Federal Government to initiate meaningful national dialogue to peacefully resolve the structural challenges that are threatening the nation’s stability and progress.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Governor Wike accused operatives of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police of Perpetrating crimes, particularly armed robbery and kidnapping in the state.
At a media briefing in Government House, the Governor expressed disappointment that while his administration had given more support than any other state in the country, to security agencies, some of the SARs officers were using exhibit vehicles to commit crimes.
He told newsmen that three officers of SARs penultimate Monday Kidnapped a man at Orazi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and that when the Inspector General’s Special Squad was contacted by relations of the victim, a man who turned out to be an officer of SARs was gunned down.
He lamented that several letters he had written against activities of the SARs in the state failed to attract the a desired response from the police hierarchy and that as Chief Security Officer of the State, he decided to let the world know about the involvement of SARs officers in kidnappings and robberies.
Wike alleged that SARs commander in the state, Akin, Fakorede was planted to sabotage his administration, discredit him and scare investors.
Governor Wike who earned the title, “Mr Project”, because of his passion for executing numerous people-oriented projects, was on tour of project sites to inspect ongoing work in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas on Thursday.
Among the projects inspected were Woji-Akpajo Bridge/Road, Elelenwo-Akpajo Road, Creek Road, Produce House, Bonny-Nembe-Bille Jetty, Garrison-Trans Amadi-Elelenwo Road and National Industrial Court.
He gave indication that the projects would be delivered by the end of the year.
A large crowd of market women in Creek Road Market came out to cheer the governor and his entourage. They praised the governor for the projects in the area and said past administrations never showed such love and concern to them as done by Wike.
Wike who was touched by their level of appreciation to the efforts of his administration, lauded the crowd for the support and promised to build a new befitting market for them after the road project.
Activities got to a climax on Friday as Governor Wike swore in five new Commissioners and Seven Caretaker Committee Chairmen. The Commissioner were: Dr Fred Kpakol, Prof Roseline Konya, Shedrack Chukwu, Mrs Tonye Onyirinde and Hon Dum Dekor.
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.