Politics
Group To Reinforce Democratic Governance In Nigeria
Society for Community Development, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has said that it is planning to scale up democratic governance work in Nigeria towards ameliorating challenge of marginalisation.
Executive Director of the CSO, Mr Apoede Atsegbua, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja highlighted poor representation of the interest of vulnerable persons, coupled with low level presence in elective offices as major challenges.
He said that it was paramount to reinforce high representation in a democratic practice to capture the interests of such persons in political parties or platforms.
Atsegbua added that the marginalisation of women, youths and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria were other drawbacks for democratic participation.
“The issue of marginalisation in general requires a critical examination in specific locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“Question needs to be asked as to the cultural, economic and social bases of political exclusion of women, youths and persons with disabilities in governance.
“The government along with CSOs must strategise to scale up democratic governance work which would ameliorate challenges of marginalisation amongst others,’’ he said.
The executive director said that there were various subtle and not-so-subtle cultural hindrances that effectively discouraged these vulnerable groups from meaningful participation in electoral processes.
He, therefore, urged other CSOs, NGOs and relevant government agencies as well as donor agencies to synergise, strategise and propose ways to improve the participation of the vulnerable groups.
“We must all strive to improve on the low level of female employment in the formal labour sector, low literacy rates, poor cultural practices such as patriarchy, early marriage and gender stereotypes,” he said.
Atsegbua also encouraged the groups not to relent in making efforts towards contributing to the meaningful growth of the country.
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.