By Sophia Afolabi
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the banner of the Transparency and Accountability Rights Initiative has issued a strong press statement, accusing Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma of orchestrating a “malicious and dangerous propaganda” campaign against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and a development advocate, Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi.
In a press conference held in Owerri, the CSOs, represented by Dr. Agbo Frederick Ph.D., alleged that a group called the “Greater Imo Initiative (GII)” acted as a “mouthpiece and attack dog” for the governor during a press conference on September 4, 2025.
The CSOs claim the GII, acting on Uzodinma’s instructions, “slandered” Dr. Amadi and “recklessly dragged” Prof. Yakubu into what they described as “gutter politics.”
The statement, titled “CSOs to Governor Hope Uzodinma: Retract Lies Against INEC Chairman and Dr. Chima Amadi, Focus on Governance, Not Diversionary Antics, Smear Campaigns,” alleges that the governor is “blackmailing” Prof. Yakubu by falsely claiming he has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections.
”By falsely alleging that Prof. Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodinma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy,” the statement read.
The coalition praised Prof. Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism and impartiality” and condemned the alleged attempt to “soil his reputation with fabricated tales,” calling it a “national security risk.”
Regarding Dr. Chima Amadi, the CSOs described him as a “respected development scholar, a courageous voice for the downtrodden and a patriotic Nigerian” and called the governor’s attempts to paint him otherwise “laughable, defamatory, desperate and dangerous.”
The CSOs believe the motive behind the alleged campaign is to “silence dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued a set of demands to Governor Uzodinma, including:
An immediate retraction of the “false and defamatory allegations” against Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national dailies and broadcast on major television networks.
An end to “diversionary antics and proxy propaganda,” with a focus on providing good governance, jobs, infrastructure, and security for the people of Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply with their demands would compel them to “seek legal redress from Governor Uzodinma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
The statement concluded by urging the governor to address the “insecurity ravaging Imo, the unemployment and poverty that are strangling the citizens,” instead of engaging in what they called “desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability.”
They affirmed their support for both Prof. Yakubu and Dr. Amadi, stating, “Truth will prevail. Democracy will endure.”
