Politics
EFCC Lauds Wike Over Stand On Anti-Graft Campaign
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for openly declaring that no corrupt official would be part of his administration in the State.
This is as the commission says it is investigating some staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and would soon publish their names.
Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt said more reports of corruption allegation against the interventionist agency are being turned in on a daily basis.
“I don’t have the statistics now, but you are all aware that NDDC is here in Port Harcourt and the EFCC has an office here. So we have several cases of that nature and many more that we are investigating.
“We are working and very soon Nigerians will know about the extent of our work here,” the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of EFCC said.
He further said the commission needs more Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption, saying Governor Wike’s stance that his administration will not condone corruption is worthy of commendation.
“Corruption is the bane of development in this country. So it is encouraging that Rivers State Governor and the Government of Rivers State in general is aligning to the fact that we must do something about corruption.
“We are also happy to the fact that he (Wike) mentioned it publicly that no member of the executive council that is corrupt will have a place in his own cabinet, which is a welcome development,” Bawa said.
He explained that such declaration by the Governor was part of the preventive measures that the anti-graft agency was looking out for to ensure that corrupt persons do not find their way into public offices.
“It is part of the preventive and deterrent measures that we are looking at so that no corrupt person in this country holds any public office,” Bawa stated.
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.