Politics
Lawmaker Lauds Wike On Politics Of Inclusion
The councillor representing Ward 12 in Khana Legislative Assembly, and Chief Whip of the legislative house, Hon Barikui Solomon, has lauded Governor Wike for running what he called inclusive politics, especially his provision of broader space for women to participate in politics.
Hon Barikui gave the commendation during a thanksgiving service held at Ascension Apostolic Church, Wiyaakara community, in Khana Local Government Area of the State.
“Governor Wike is the only Governor in Nigeria that makes it a deliberate policy for women to be given a reasonable percentage to participate actively in political leadership,” she said .
The lawmaker noted that her emergence as a councillor and that of her numerous colleagues across the State were testimonies of Governor Wike’s gender-sensitive government.
Barikui, who is the first female Chief Whip in the Khana Legislative Assembly, thanked the people of Ward 12 for supporting her during the elections and assured to give effective representation to the ward, especially in promotion of women welfare and youth in the ward.
She also assured to mobilise women in the area to support the re-election of Governor Wike in 2019.
The lawmaker also called on the people of Ogoni and Rivers State in general to support the governor to return in 2019, to enable him continue his development projects in Rivers State.
She also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist being used to perpetrate electoral vices in Rivers State, while ensuring that the votes of the people count.
This, she noted, will not only justify the credibility of the electoral empire, but also prove that the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) is on ground in Rivers State.
She used the opportunity to urge security agencies to remain non-partisan in the conduct of their civic duties.
Taneh Beemene
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.