Politics
Gbajabiamila Reassures On Service, Dev
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, last Saturday said he would use his new office to impact on the lives of Nigerians.
Gbajabiamila made the promise when he visited Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos at his palace.
The Speaker was accompanied on the visit by Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and his colleagues in the House of Representatives.
Lawmakers who went with Gbajabiamila include Mr Jide Jimoh (APC-Lagos Mainland), Mr James Faleke (Ikeja) and Mr Jimi Johnson (Ikorodu).
The Speaker said he was committed to the wellbeing of Nigerians and would dedicate his time in office to promote the country’s development.
“I am going to use my office to the benefit of all Nigerians. It is going to be four years of hardwork, commitment to the rule of law, four years of dedication to the people of Nigeria.
“There were a lot of problems in Nigeria and it takes visionary leadership to address these problems.
“I will use my legislative experience of about 30 years to do the right things for Nigerians,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said he was aware of some of the requests of Lagos from the Federal Government, promising that he and his colleagues would do their best to attend to them.
He said Nigerians and particularly Lagosians could rely on him to promote their interests in the ninth House of Representatives.
The Speaker thanked residents for their consistent support for his political aspirations, particularly during his race for the position of Speaker.
Gbajabiamila said he would do his best to justify the confidence reposed in him.
The speaker thanked Akiolu for the warm reception at his palace.
He said he was glad to have been received by many residents and well wishers on his first visit to the state after the House of Representatives leadership election.
Gbajabiamila said he would rely on Akiolu’s counsel in his efforts at promoting democratic dividends to Nigerians.
Earlier, Akiolu congratulated Gbajabiamila on his emergence as the Speaker, saying he and all Lagosians were proud of him.
He, however, advised him to use his new position to impact on the lives of the people, which was the essence of leadership.
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.