Politics
2013: Year Of Political Melodrama
Since 1960 when Nigeria gained her independence from colonial rule, one major challenge that has continuously threatened the growth and stability of the oil-rich nation is the entrenchment of democratic culture. The military had had cause to intervene in the governance of this nation because of the inglorious activities of the political elite most of whom are more concerned about the looting of the nation’s treasury at the expense the masses.
It is against this background that the year 2013 has witnessed political upheavals that are detrimental to the sustainability of the nation’s fledgling democracy which was hard-won in 1990 by combined efforts of pro-democracy and civil society groups, the Nigerian press as well as other sections of the society after the military had severally scuttled democratic processes in the country. We shall therefore, review some of the events that shaped the nation’s political landscape in the out-going year.
Rivers State Crisis
The Rivers State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been riddled with crisis following the controversial court ruling that replaced Chief G. U. Ake-led executive with that of Bro. Felix Obuah. Subsequently, the leadership of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council was suspended for alleged corruption by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in compliance with the resolution passed by the State House of Assembly.
Angered by this development, five anti-Amaechi lawmakers in the State Assembly attempted to impeach the Speaker of the House against the wishes of their colleagues who were 27 in number and in majority. This resulted in a free-for-all fight which compelled the National Assembly to take over the functions of the House.
Although an Abuja high court recently ordered that the House should resume its legislative work, the National Assembly has appealed against that ruling. It is also pertinent to note that Governor Amaechi has taken a harder step by dissolving the leadership of Obio/Akpor Council.
In fact, the political class in Rivers State has been polarized between Governor Amaechi’s faction and Hon. Wike’s faction said to be working for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.
NGF Crisis
In May, this year Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was re-elected as the chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum by securing 19 votes against Governor Jonah Jang’s 16. However, the presidency turned a blind eye to Amaechi’s victory by recognizing Governor Jang as the chairman of the forum. The aim, it is believed is to create division in the forum to whittle down Governor Amaechi’s influence in relation to the 2015 general election.
Registration of APC
The merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was formalized following its registration by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as All Progressive Congress (APC).
The ruling PDP was unsettled by this development even though it publicly expressed support for the merger. However, African People Congress (APC) and All Patriotic Citizens (APC) have gone to challenge the registration of All Progressives Congress by INEC, claiming ownership of the acronym.
APGA Crisis
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has been engulfed in crisis following power tussle between Chief Victor Umeh and Mazi Okwu as both lay claim to the national chairmanship of the party. Initially, Mazi Okwu was enjoying the support of the only APGA governor in the country, Mr Peter Obi of Anambra but he was abandoned by the governor who later reconciled with Chief Umeh a few weeks to the gubernatorial election in Anambra State. The court is yet to rule on the APGA matter.
PDP Convention Crisis
Shortly after Governor Amaechi was re-elected the NGF chairman he was suspended by the National Working Committee of the PDP for alleged anti-party activities. But Nigerians were of the view that his suspension was borne out of the fact he defeated the preferred candidate of the presidency (Governor Jang) in the NGF election.
Governor Amaechi’s suspension set the stage for unbridled crises that have destabilised the party. Members of the party that were not on the same page with the presidency were labeled as rebels and were suspended and dismissed from the party for spurious reasons. During the special convention of the party in August, this year some chieftains of the party who were dissatisfied with the impunity being exhibited by the national leadership staged a walkout and formed a new PDP.
Return of Gov. Suntai
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State returned home, having spent 10 months in Germany and United States where he received medical treatments for the injuries he sustained from a plane crash in Adamawa State. His return generated political crisis between his supporters and the deputy governor’s.
It was alleged that the deputy governor wanted his boss impeached because of his ill-health so as to assume office as the substantive governor of the state. With the intervention of then National leadership of the PDP, the deputy governor was therefore, directed to continue as the Acting Governor pending the recuperation of the ailing governor.
Anambra Election
The gubernatorial election that was conducted in Anambra State on November 16, this year was fraught with irregularities. Indeed, it was the worst election conducted by the Attahiru Jeja-led Independent National Electoral Commission since it came on board. Both local and international observers expressed dissatisfaction with shoddy exercise as the INEC chairman equally admitted the obvious irregularities.
It was for this reason that the three major candidates in that election (Senator Chris Ngige of APC, Hon Tony Nwoye of PDP and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of LP) boycotted the supplementary election in the disputed electoral units, insisting that the governorship election should be cancelled for a credible exercise. They have also gone to court to challenge the outcome of the election.
Defection of PDP Governors and Legislators
Following the crisis in the PDP former chieftains of the party, five governors and 37 members of House of Representatives recently defected to All Progressives Congress (APC). Consequently, the APC is now in majority in the House of Representatives.
Sacking of Ministers
The President sacked eight ministers who were either nominated by or loyal to governors that are not comfortable with his leadership style.
Obasanjo’s and Jonathan’s Letters
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his 18-page letter took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan on sundry issues that bordered on ineptitude, integrity and security. The President replied his benefactor’s letter with the inference that the pot is calling the kettle black.
Reward Akwu
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.
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