Politics
Fubara, Gateway To Democratic Dividends For Rivers People -Rep
The lawmaker representing Phalga Constituency 1, in the House of Representatives, Hon. Manuchim Umezuruike, has emphasised that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained the gateway to experiencing the true benefits of democracy.
Speaking at the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving celebration in commemoration of the Supreme Court affirmation of the election victory of Governor Fubara in Ayama- Ndoki, Oyigbo Local Government Area, Hon. Munachim highlighted how his constituency has flourished under Governor Fubara’s leadership, praising him as a unifying figure transcending tribal boundaries.
Director of the Simplified Movement, Rt. Hon.Evans Bipi, criticised certain politicians for disrespecting esteemed elder statesmen in the state and cautioned President Bola Tinubu about the presence of such individuals in his cabinet and urged the people to stand steadfastly by the governor.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Chisom Gbali, hailed Governor Fubara, whom he described as a son of Ndoki, and stressed the importance of hindsight in guiding future actions.
He underscored the connection between the Ndoki, Bonny and Opobo people as part of the Ijaw stalk in the Niger-Delta region.
Reminiscing on the famous quote of Usman Danfodio, that “Conscience is an open wound which only the truth can heal”, Dr. Gbali described Governor Fubara as a beacon of truth for Rivers State.
The event also featured special prayers for the progress, peace and unity of Rivers State.
In a related development, a chieftain of the Simplified Movement in the LGA, Hon Stanleyson Akaya, says that Rivers people have been inundated with the persistent sobbing of the embattled 27 members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, the latest being a press conference to pour venom and vituperation on Governor Fubara and his administration.
Hon. Akaya who spoke to newsmen shortly after the thanksgiving service to commemorate the Governor’s Supreme Court victory as Governor of Rivers State, maintained that there would not have been any need to dissipate energy responding to lawmakers, but for the fact that every of their gathering and plots becomes an avenue for lamentations and disrespect for the office of the governor.
According to him: “It is unfortunate that since the disagreement between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara began, every sense of reasoning and collaboration required of them to move the state forward had been abandoned.
“Rather than show some sense of rapprochement and commitment to peace like the governor, they have tended towards becoming political traducers bent on rocking the ship of progress.
“Their grandstanding has become completely nauseating, not just to democratic ethos, but to Rivers people who are solidly behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the organic support.”
Hon. Akaya further averred: “Despite these unnecessary altercations, the peaceful disposition of the Governor has continued to encourage him to acknowledge the value of every Rivers man or woman, and willing to welcome and accommodate whosoever that wants to be part of the new trajectory of development in the state. Infact, members of the House of Assembly are most important segment of our society and need to act in very decorous manner that should bring honour and glory not just to the people they represent, but the entire state”.
He said “It is unfortunate to state unequivocally that what the Rivers State Assembly members are enjoying today is because of the respect our Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has for peace, reconciliation and development of the state.
“This is in spite of the plethora of legal tussles in courts by well- meaning Rivers people and sound opinions by legal luminaries on the legitimacy of their membership. It is further restated that neither the Governor nor Rivers people are perturbed by their threat of impeachment. They should take note that beside the credibility question legally hanging on their heads is the fact that they have the entire Rivers people to contend with if they pretend to institute any form of illegal impeachment moves once again.
“I am sounding out this for the records to save our state from unnecessary bickering that could snowball into crisis . Let us therefore be circumspect with our positions as such grandstanding won’t do any of us any good”, Hon. Akaya submitted.
Bethel Toby
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.
