Politics
Stop Intimidating Traditional Rulers, Monarch Warns GDI
Members of the
Grassroots Development Initiatives (GDI) in Rivers Sate have been warned against intimidating traditional rulers and chiefs who refused to associate with them in their campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Chairman, Omagwa Council of Chiefs, High Chief Bright K. Kpaluku gave the warning in an interview with The Tide, following alleged attempts by some GDI members to intimidate chiefs and traditional rulers in Ikwerre land, who have refused to associate with them in the political crisis in the state.
According to him, traditional rulers are not politicians, but custodians of peoples culture and therefore should not be dragged into partisan politics.
He alleged that some politicians in the state wanted to coerce traditional rulers to give support to certain political party in the State, saying no politician has the rights to impose himself or his ambition on traditional rulers.
Chief Kpaluku particularly frowned against the alleged desecration of traditional institution in Ikwerre communities by GDI supporters, saying Omagwa people would resist political intimidation of their traditional rulers by any politician.
The royal father commended the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaeachi for recognizing Omagwa as an autonomous community and for elevating the Omagwa stool to first class.
He called on the governor to maintain his developmental trend despite the challenges confronting him in the state, assuring him of the support of Omagwa people.
Meanwhile, Community Development Committee (CIDC) Chairman in Omagwa Mr. Justice Joe has also warned GDI members against instigating crisis in Omagwa.
He said, no political group was restricted from carrying out lawful activities in the area, but frowned at alleged attempt by GDI supporters to intimidate people to support them.
He said that the leaders and people of Omagwa community would personally resist any individual who wants to forment trouble in the area.
Enoch Epelle
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.
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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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