Politics
Lawmaker Lauds FG Over Fuel Supply To Border Communities
Lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, has commended the Federal Government for the resumption of fuel supply around border communities.
Humpe told our source yesterday, in Lagos, that resumption of supply of petroleum products to filling stations at the affected border communities had further displayed that the current administration has a listening ear.
The lawmaker said that the resumption would alleviate the plight of his constituents that reside in Seme, Apa, Gbaji, Kweme, Owode and other border communities affected by the earlier suspension.
Recall that the Federal Government, on November 7, 2019, directed that petroleum products should no longer be supplied to filling stations within 20km of the borders.
The Customs Comptroller General, Col. Hammed Alli, Rtd, issued the memo suspending petroleum products to fuel stations around border communities.
He said that the directive became necessary because of the atrocities being committed at the border areas.
However, the Federal Government, on March 23, lifted the suspension on a total of 66 filling stations across the border communities of Nigeria, in order to ease fuel scarcity in the areas.
Humpe said that the suspension had affected the socio- economic lif of the border communities in the area, because most of them were not connected to the national grid.
“There are many communities within Seme, Owode, Apa Kweme and Apa that are not connected to national grid, their only means of electricity is generator.
“Also, we have residents that engage in grinding of pepper, dry cleaners, cafe operators and other businesses that require electricity.
“ All these businesses were grounded due to the suspension of fuel to border communities. Many of our youths are jobless and wandering aimlessly.
“Many of our people that came to buy petrol in Badagry in jerry can got their petrol seized by the security agents who thought that they were engaged in bunkering,” he said.
Hunpe said that it was as a result of this suffering that traditional rulers in Badagry West LCDA and other leaders wrote him as their representative to beg the government to allow nine filling stations with valid papers to lift the products.
“I worked on this letter and sent the list of filling stations picked at Seme and Owode-Apa to the Chairman, House Committe Petroleum Downstream for consideration and approval.
“The approval come from the Comptroller General of Custom on March 18.
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.
