Imo Lawyers Urge Wike to Stop Public Attacks on Uzodinma, Call for Political Dialogue

Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy have called on Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stop what they described as continued public attacks against Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The group made the call in a statement signed by its Secretary, Barrister Ifeoma Chukwunyere, during a press conference on Friday over the increasingly public disagreement between the two political figures.

The lawyers expressed concern about the nature of the exchanges and urged Wike and Uzodinma to resolve their differences through political dialogue, democratic engagement and established legal institutions.

Their intervention follows recent disagreements between Wike and members of the APC Governors’ Forum over the minister’s political activities and the so-called Rainbow Coalition. The Progressive Governors Forum, chaired by Uzodinma, has publicly distanced itself from the coalition, while Wike has defended his political position and criticised some APC governors.

The lawyers said political disagreements were legitimate in a democracy but should not develop into personal attacks or actions capable of heightening political tensions. They urged political actors to focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts.

“We recognise the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including public officials and political actors, to express political opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities. However, that freedom must not become a licence for personal attacks, intimidation or unnecessary escalation,” the group said.

The organisation described Uzodinma as the constitutionally elected governor of Imo State and argued that political disagreements involving him should not be allowed to create tension capable of affecting the state’s peace and stability.

It also called on Wike to refrain from further personal comments about the governor and allow the people of Imo State to determine their political affairs through constitutional and democratic processes.

The group said it would defend what it described as the mandate given to Uzodinma by the people of Imo, while also urging the governor to continue operating within the Constitution and Nigerian law.

Addressing Wike directly, the lawyers said: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo so stay off Imo.”

The group further appealed to President Bola Tinubu, as the appointing authority of the FCT minister, to encourage restraint among the political actors involved.

Wike and Uzodinma have traded political criticisms in recent weeks. Wike has accused Uzodinma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of working against him, while the APC Governors’ Forum has opposed political arrangements it says could create parallel structures or weaken the party.

The lawyers said they opposed political intimidation, violence and threats against any political actor and called on political parties, supporters and media platforms to avoid language capable of inflaming tensions.

“Our position is simple: Democracy must prevail. The Constitution must prevail. The rule of law must prevail,” the group said.

The organisation pledged to continue monitoring developments affecting constitutional governance, democratic participation and political freedom in Imo State, while urging all sides to pursue disagreements through lawful political and institutional channels.