2027: Media Lawyers Petition CCB Over Uzodimma’s Senate Ambition

By Joseph Odoekwu, KSM

The Association of West African Media Lawyers (WAMELA) has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over his declared intention to contest a Senate seat in 2027 while still serving in office as Governor.

The petition, dated October 20, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the Bureau, was signed by the association’s head in Nigeria, President Aigbokhan, Esq.

WAMELA is asking the Bureau to determine whether the Governor’s decision to seek a senatorial nomination while his tenure subsists till January 2028 amounts to abuse of office or conflict of interest under the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The petition followed Governor Uzodimma’s recent public declaration at an All Progressives Congress (APC) event that he would “be on the ballot as a senatorial candidate” in the 2027 general election.

According to the association, while it is not questioning the right of a sitting governor to aspire to another elective office, the timing raises constitutional questions.

“Our concern is not whether a sitting Governor could aspire to another elective office, but whether picking 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,” Aigbokhan said.

“The oath of office taken on assumption of office is a binding constitutional undertaking, not a mere ceremonial formality,” he added.

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 placing themselves in positions where personal interest conflicts with official duty or amounts to abuse of office.

It also cited provisions that empower the CCB to receive, investigate complaints on alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct and refer appropriate cases to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

WAMELA 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 that warrant investigation.

The group therefore urged the Bureau to register the petition, conduct a preliminary assessment, verify the reported nomination within seven days of receipt, and take lawful steps warranted by its findings, including possible referral to the CCT.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Imo State Government as of press time were unsuccessful. The CCB is also yet to officially respond to the petition.

WAMELA said it remains committed to promoting press freedom, access to information, media independence and constitutional governance across West Africa.