A group of lawyers under the aegis of Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stop his public attacks and comments concerning Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
The lawyers made the demand on Friday during a press conference in which they expressed concern over what they described as the increasingly personal exchanges between Wike and Uzodinma.
The group said the disagreement followed the rejection by the All Progressives Congress Governors’ Forum of what it described as Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition” political arrangement.
According to the lawyers, the APC Governors’ Forum had rejected the arrangement because it considered it capable of weakening the party or creating divided loyalty.
They said Wike should direct his grievances at the governors’ forum rather than personally attacking Uzodinma.
“The APC Governors’ Forum in their wisdom had rejected the fraudulent Rainbow Coalition as projected by Minister Wike, rather than show cause or plead for the APC Governors Forum to accept his Rainbow Coalition he has chosen to personally attack Governor Uzodinma,” Ifeoma Chukwunyere Esq, who spoke on behalf of the group, said.
The lawyers, however, acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerians, including public officials and political actors, to express political opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities.
They argued that such rights should not be used to justify personal attacks, intimidation or the escalation of political disagreements.
“Governor Uzodimma is the constitutionally elected Governor of Imo State. Whatever disagreements exist between him and the FCT Minister should be addressed through democratic engagement, political dialogue and the rule of law,” they said.
The group called on Wike to desist from further public comments concerning Uzodinma, stressing that political disagreements should focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts rather than personal exchanges.
It also warned against what it described as attempts to create political tension in Imo State through inflammatory exchanges.
The lawyers said, “Imo State is not a battlefield for political supremacy,” insisting that residents of the state had the constitutional right to choose their leaders and determine their political future without undue interference, intimidation or external pressure.
They further declared their support for Uzodinma and the mandate they said was given to him by the people of Imo State.
“We will defend Governor Hope Uzodinma, the Mandate given to him by Ndi-Imo and the constitutional rights of Imo people, regardless of political affiliation,” the group said.
The lawyers also urged Uzodinma to continue to operate within the Constitution and Nigerian laws, while allowing political and legal institutions to handle legitimate disagreements.
They appealed to President Bola Tinubu, as President and appointing authority of the FCT Minister, to encourage restraint in the ongoing exchanges.
“We personally feel that the attack by Wike on Governor Uzodinma is too personal,” they said.
In a direct message to the FCT Minister, the group said: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo so stay off Imo.”
The lawyers said disagreements over political strategies, elections, alliances and political actors in the state should be resolved through democratic debate.
They also stated that they would not support political intimidation, violence or threats against any political actor.
“Our position is simple: Democracy must prevail. The Constitution must prevail. The rule of law must prevail,” the group said.
The Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy further said it would continue to monitor developments relating to constitutional governance, democratic participation, political freedom and peace in the state.
It urged political parties, leaders, supporters and media platforms to avoid language capable of inflaming tensions or provoking confrontation.
“Imo State deserves peace. Nigeria deserves responsible political leadership. Political disagreements are normal in a democracy, but personal hostility must not undermine democratic institutions or endanger public peace,” the lawyers said.
The group also appealed to Uzodinma “to ignore Minister Wike and his rantings,” while reiterating its commitment to defending the democratic and constitutional rights of Imo residents through lawful and peaceful means.
