Politics
We Are Part, Parcel Of N’Delta, Group Insists
Members of the Warri Consultative Forum (WCF) have stated that the Itsekiri ethnic nationality constitutes a key stakeholder in the Niger Delta region, and therefore, should also be considered for appointment as coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) with the sack of Prof. Charles Dokubo.
The Executive Secretary of the group, Mr. Gabriel Meni, made this request in a chat with newsmen in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, saying that they have not benefited from appointment at the PAP office since its establishment in spite of their huge financial contributions to the revenue profile of the country.
He stated that the amnesty programme was meant to cover indigenes of the nine mandate states, wondering why only persons from one ethnic group were considered fit for the position, a situation that makes the other groups non-relevant in the amnesty scheme.
Meni noted that disseminating nuisance by way of violence and pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage was not the preserve of any tribe, adding that the Federal Government should not give the wrong impression that it was only interested in dancing to the whims and caprices of only those that have exhibited furious violence and belligerency.
The WCF frowned at rumours making the rounds that persons of Northern origin were being considered for appointment into an interim management committee to oversee the management of the Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme until a substantive coordinator was appointed, wondering what a northerner has to do with the PAP considering that it was the programme that engendered the current peace and tranquillity in the region that has led to sustained oil and gas production and exploration activities till date.
“It has been revealed that the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno has been mandated to set up an interim management committee to oversee the running of the affairs of the PAP until further notice with the following persons being pencilled down already, viz: Mr. A.A. Lawal as chairman; Col. Udoma as secretary; Mr. Anthony S.A. (Legal) and Brig-Gen Mohammed as director of Finance and Administration, respectively”.
The WCF pointed out that the PAP was an interventionist agency meant to address the agitations of the region only and not meant for all Nigerians, and therefore, should not be politicized by way of federal character appointment as interventionist agencies in the North do not have persons from other regions appointed amongst them.
While charging President Muhammadu Buhari not to succumb to pressure to re-awaken hostilities in the peaceful region by appointing northerners into the interim management committee, the WCF tasked him on the appointment of an Itsekiri man as PAP coordinator this time around to give them and others a sense of belonging, adding that doing otherwise was an invitation to another round of anarchy and gross disruption in oil and gas production operations.
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.
