Politics
Ikpeazu, Ugwanyi Laud Wike’s Indomitable Stance On Promoting Democracy
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and his Enugu State counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, have expressed deep admiration for the idomitable posture of the Rivers State Governor, Chief, Nyesom Wike, in promoting democratic ideals and good governance in Nigeria.
The two governors, who hosted Governor Wike at their country homes while the Rivers State Governor and his entourage paid them special new year visits, said Governor Wike had provided exemplary and quality leadership in Rivers State through the delivery of projects and also made bold his position on national issues of critical concern.
Addressing Governor Wike and his entourage at his home town of Umuobiakwa, Abia State, the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, said Rivers State was lucky to have Wike as their governor as he has demonstrated deep commitment towards good governance and the defence of the interest of Rivers people at all times.
He said the government and people of Abia State shared Governor Wike’s concern for a better Nigeria, and reiterated the need to join forces to salvage the country from further drift into the abyss.
Ikpeazu described Governor Wike as a determined and selfless leader who is not only focused on project delivery in his state,but providing true leadership for his colleagues to emulate. He said Nigeria needed leaders like Governor Wike to bring to the country and secure the future of the country for posterity.
In a similar vein, Enugu State was agog for Governor Wike as the government and people of the state, led by the Governor, His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, rolled out the drums to welcome Governor Wike on the visit that was carved as essential to deepen the relationship between Rivers and Enugu states.
Speaking at the reception which was held at the Governor’s home town of Orba in Udenu LGA of Enugu State, Ugwuanyi commended Governor Wike over his sterling leadership qualities, describing him as a bold, audacious leader who has given voice to the voiceless and remained firm in defending the principles of justice in Nigeria.
The Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, led by its Chairman, HRM, Amb Lawrence Ajubuzo, also confered on Governor Wike the Chieftaincy Title of ‘Agunechi Ibe’ of Enugu State, for his contributions to good governance and democracy.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike within the week attended the 30th Edition of the Ogoni Day celebration held in Bori, the Administrative Headquarters of the Ogoni people as a special guest of honour.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the event, Governor Wike decried the fact that real tenets of the Ogoni struggle as propagated by late environmental and minority rights activist, Ken Saro Wiwa has been politicised by the emerging leadership class in Ogoni.
The Governor cautioned against the tendency among political leaders in Ogoni to use the Ogoni Struggle to achieve personal gains at the expense of the people,and pointed out that Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni matyres paid a huge price for the emancipation of Ogoni and the Niger Delta from the shackles of marginalisation in Nigeria.
Governor Wike also stated that the federal government was taking the Niger Delta for granted because of disunity among the people, and referred to the development crisis in the oil rich region as a product of self marginalisation, as the leaders of the region were not working in one accord.
By: Beemene Tanee
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.