Politics
Shun Factionalism, Embrace Unity, Council Boss Urges PDP Members
The Chairman of Degema Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Michael John Williams, has enjoined leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward One, Bakana, to work in synergy and avoid acts that promote division within the party.
The Council boss made the appeal on Monday, when he played host to the leadership and stakeholders of the PDP in Ward One, at the Council Secretariat in Degema.
The Council chairman, who hails from Ward One in Iyalla’s Compound, Bakana, told his kinsmen that they were blessed and fortunate to have a full political Ward and have benefited greatly from the party, adding that it is only when they continued to work together, that they could achieve greater results for the good of their people.
He noted that though politics is a game of interest, it should however be played with decorum and decency, as not everyone, including close family members, were expected to support the political aspirations of anyone.
While calling for support for the party and his administration, the chairman stated that power comes from God alone, adding that more opportunities will come to members of the PDP when they work together and win the forthcoming general elections.
On their appeal for more appointments and construction of a shore protection for Iyalla’s Compound, the Council boss, who disclosed that his administration had appointed over 150 persons, assured that more people would be given appointments, after a cabinet reshuffle that is in the offing.
He added that the administration would equally look into the issues of soil erosion and shore protection.
The DELGA boss also gave the assurance that the ongoing Memorial Hall reconstruction would soon be completed, as his administration had fully committed funds to it.
Earlier, leader of the PDP in Ward One, Dr Deinbo Bagshaw, who presented gifts to the Council Chairman, commended him for his infrastructural revolution in the LGA.
Dr Bagshaw particularly thanked the Council Chairman for undertaking the reconstruction project of the Memorial Hall of their progenitor, Chief India John Yellowe (Iyalla), as well as other numerous projects, spread across the LGA.
The Ward leader, however used the occasion to appeal for the Chairman’s support to address the issues of soil erosion and shore protection, as the area was adversely impacted by oceanic waves.
While thanking the chairman for the appointments given to members of the party in the Ward, Dr Bagshaw asked for more opportunities, as well as empowerment programmes for their people.
The meeting was attended by the leadership of the Ward, including ward and LGA executives of the PDP.
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.