WEST AFRICAN MEDIA LAWYERS DRAG GOV. UZODIMMA TO CCB OVER SENATE AMBITION

The Association of West African Media Lawyers (WAMELA) has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), requesting an investigation into the reported decision by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to seek a Senate seat while his tenure as Governor remains unexpired.

In the petition dated 20 October 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of the Bureau, the Association asked the CCB to determine whether the Governor’s reported senatorial ambition raises issues of abuse of office or conflict of interest under the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The Association anchored its petition on paragraph 1 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which prohibits public officers from abusing their offices. It also relied on constitutional provisions that empower the Bureau to receive and investigate complaints of breaches of the Code of Conduct and, where appropriate, refer matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

According to the head of WAMELA in Nigeria, Mr. President Aigbokhan, Esq., “our concern is not whether a sitting Governor could aspire to another elective office, but whether he can pick a senatorial nomination to pursue a senatorial seat in 2027 while his tenure remains subsisting till 2028 could create a conflict between personal political ambition and the constitutional responsibilities of the office because the oath of office taken on assumption of office is a binding constitutional undertaking, not a mere ceremonial formality.

The Association further argued that if the powers, privileges, resources, or responsibilities of the governorship were deployed, neglected, or compromised to advance a personal political ambition, such conduct could raise issues of abuse of office and conflict of interest that require investigation.

WAMELA therefore requested the Bureau to register the petition, conduct a preliminary assessment, verify the reported nomination within seven days of receiving the petition, and take any lawful steps warranted by the findings, including referral to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

WAMELA is committed to promoting and protecting freedom of expression, press freedom, access to information, digital rights, media independence and the safety of journalists across West Africa. It also undertakes strategic public-interest litigation and advocates constitutional governance, the rule of law and democratic accountability across the region and its constituent states.