Politics
Group To Reinforce Democratic Governance In Nigeria
Society for Community Development, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has said that it is planning to scale up democratic governance work in Nigeria towards ameliorating challenge of marginalisation.
Executive Director of the CSO, Mr Apoede Atsegbua, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja highlighted poor representation of the interest of vulnerable persons, coupled with low level presence in elective offices as major challenges.
He said that it was paramount to reinforce high representation in a democratic practice to capture the interests of such persons in political parties or platforms.
Atsegbua added that the marginalisation of women, youths and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria were other drawbacks for democratic participation.
“The issue of marginalisation in general requires a critical examination in specific locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“Question needs to be asked as to the cultural, economic and social bases of political exclusion of women, youths and persons with disabilities in governance.
“The government along with CSOs must strategise to scale up democratic governance work which would ameliorate challenges of marginalisation amongst others,’’ he said.
The executive director said that there were various subtle and not-so-subtle cultural hindrances that effectively discouraged these vulnerable groups from meaningful participation in electoral processes.
He, therefore, urged other CSOs, NGOs and relevant government agencies as well as donor agencies to synergise, strategise and propose ways to improve the participation of the vulnerable groups.
“We must all strive to improve on the low level of female employment in the formal labour sector, low literacy rates, poor cultural practices such as patriarchy, early marriage and gender stereotypes,” he said.
Atsegbua also encouraged the groups not to relent in making efforts towards contributing to the meaningful growth of the country.
Politics
Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
Politics
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Politics
Alleged Smear Campaign Against Yakubu, CSOs Demand Apology From Uzodimma

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.
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