Politics
9th Assembly Not a ‘Rubber Stamp’ Of The Executive – Waziri
The Chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Media, Rep. Khadijat Waziri (APC-Yobe), has said that the 9th Assembly “will not be a rubber stamp” for the Executive Arm of Government.
In an interview with newsmen in Abuja, Waziri said that the legislative arm would apply the principle of checks and balances without necessarily combating the executive.
She said that both arms were partners in progress and would collaborate to put Nigeria in the rightful position in the league of developed nations.
Waziri said that leadership of the House emerged as a result of the efforts of the “joint task” made up of all the opposition parties and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
She said members were and ready to support the speaker and work for the development of the country.
Also, Rep. Bamidele Salami (PDP-Osun), said that the assembly was ready to fully resume legislative activities, saying that the chamber was ready and that allocation of offices was almost over.
He said that the “welcome package” for members was in the process of being paid and that the newly elected legislators were ready to work.
The lawmaker said that all the ad hoc committees were all most done with their respective assignments and that the July 2 resumption date was not threatened at all.
Bamidele said that legislative agenda for the House was not ready as the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) wanted input from every stakeholder.
He described Gbajabiamila as “a gentle leader who wanted to carry everybody along and not impose his ideas on members.”
The lawmaker explained that when the speaker said in his inaugural speech that things would be done differently and that he would shake some tables, he meant reforms that would boost the performance of the House for the good of Nigeria.
Reacting to the position of a group of lawmakers known as G-70, planning to challenge the election of Gbajabiamila in court, Rep. Abubakar Unisa (APC-Jigawa), said that members were engaging the group to sheath its swords.
He said that in any democratic elections, the majority would have their way while the minority will have their say.
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.
