Politics
Independence Day: ‘Lack Of Celebration, Killing Patriotism’
The ability of government at all levels to undertake elaborate celebration of the nation’s independence Day on October 1 as was done in time past may be killing the patriotic zeal of Nigerians.
This is the assertion of a Port Harcourt-based management consultant and public affairs analyst, Dr Emmanuel Iruayenama.
While exchanging views with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Dr Iruayenama recalled that the nation day celebration was the occasion that gave Nigerians the opportunity not only to commemorate the attainment of nationhood but also to honour the heroes and heroines of the nationalism struggle with a view to sustaining and building upon the victory won.
“It was a day that many looked up to; it was a day that gave people the opportunity to actually reflect on the essence of our coming together as a nation. October 1 was a day we looked at our heroes past, it was a day we remembered our nationalists and how we got tour independence, he said, adding that the reduced emphasis on day as a evident in the low keyed celebration for a number of years was tantament to breaking of the bond between us and those that have governed us”.
According to Dr Iruayenama who is also a chartered arbitrator, the October 1 occasion could not play second fiddle to any other occasion in our national life as it is more central and priotal to the much needed unity and stability of the country.
“It has reduced patriotism to a large extent. The looking up to October 1 was a stimulant to patriotism. A lot of people remembered that ‘yes you are Nigerians, he said, insisting that undue priority on such occasions as inauguration Day and Democracy Day was deviatory the focus of Nigerians.
Consequently, he advised the Federal Government to redirect the attention of Nigerians to the unity achieved through the struggle of the heroes past and the need to ensure that the founding fathers did not fight in vain by celebration of the Independence Day with all the fun-fare, pomp and pageantry it deserved.
Accordingly, he commended Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and the Christ Embassy Church for maintaining a carnival-like celebration of October 1 for many years now, not only in Nigeria but the world over.
Let me take this opportunity to commend Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his church that have kept the faith for the past years. For me, they are the only persons that have maintained or remembered where we are coming from, as it is, where we are, he said while urging other Nigerians to borrow a leaf from them.
Opaka Dokubo
Politics
Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
Politics
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Politics
Alleged Smear Campaign Against Yakubu, CSOs Demand Apology From Uzodimma

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.
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