Politics
Can Hails Kwara REC Over 2019 Polls
The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara have declared the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, as a role model in the conduct of electios.
The CAN chairman, Prof Timothy Opoola, made the declaration yesterday when he led members of the association’s executive on a courtesy visit to Attahiru-Madami in his office, in Ilorin.
The CAN chairman said that they were at the REC’s office to congratulate him on the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections in the state.
Opoola expressed the association’s happiness that Attahiru-Madami kept to his words to maintain his integrity before, during and after the elections, even in the face of temptations.
He said that the commission, under the leadership of Attahiru-Madami, was able to prove sceptics wrong by its conduct, which led to free, fair, credible and acceptable elections conducted under a very peaceful atmosphere.
“We all appreciate your sincerity, honesty and forthrightness as well as the impartial roles you and your members of staff played during the general elections in Kwara.
“You truly displayed your integrity and sense of duty, all of which resulted in free, fair, credible, acceptable and violence-free elections,” the CAN chairman said.
Opoola described Attahiru-Madami as a role model who was worthy of emulation as far as election conduct was concerned.
“I pray that God will give you and your members of staff sound health and abundant wisdom to do better in future elections,” he said.
Responding, Attahiru-Madami commended CAN and other stakeholders for playing their roles in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations, and for their unalloyed support and doggedness which lead to the successful conduct of the elections.
“The elections would not have been successful if not for the insistence by the stakeholders that peace should be maintained at every stage of the exercise.
“I must commend Kwara voters, politicians and the public at large for carrying out their electioneering activities within the confines of the law.
“All the stakeholders joined the commission to carry out voter education. I met CAN and other stakeholders on the field several times. All these led to the success story we are having today,” the REC remarked.
He said that he would convey a stakeholders’ forum in November where he would formally appreciate them and allow them to critique the elections and the commission’s conduct so as to allow it correct possible flaws in future elections.
Attahiru-Madami commended the harmonious religious atmosphere in the state, especially between the two major religions.
According to the REC, religion should be actionable to God and humans, and so, should not be made to cause strife at any given time.
He enjoined the association and other religious leaders in the state not to leave the elected officials alone but to continue to pray for them to always do what is right. (NAN)
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.
