By CHARLES IWUOHA

A political group, The Mazi Organization (TMO), has raised the alarm over alleged desperate attempts to eliminate a gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi, by the Imo State Government.

The organization stated that it considered the alarm imperative in reaction to latest malicious falsehood orchestrated by the Hope Uzodimma administration under the guise of the “Greater Imo Initiative (GII)”, a special purpose vehicle, (SPV) created to hound individuals and groups who hold opposing views on issues of governance.

It stated that it is evident that the hatchet job was not only poorly scripted, but it clearly exposed that it was commissioned by the panic-stricken Uzodimma government.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group's Spokesperson, Cajetan Duke, said: “This attempt to divert public attention from the burning issues of accountability in local government allocations, not only infantile but a gimmick to deceive Imo people, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians in general.”

According to the statement, “The resort to unleash this rag-tag proxy group to spew wild lies, malicious propaganda and laughable conspiracy theories involving cults, money rituals, INEC ballot printing, and imaginary offences, is an embarrassing descent into political buffoonery.

Part of the statement reads: "Let us be clear, although this attempt by the administration was an insult-ridden drivel, we will not under any guise be dragged into that show of shame with an inept administration, because we hold the Office of the Governor of Imo state in high esteem even though the current occupant does everything to demean and disrespect such a position of trust.

"This emergency statement convened to deliberate the recent unfortunate, utterly disgusting, panic-driven, malicious falsehood and a show of shame on Arise News by the said - Greater Imo Initiative (GII) and also the general state of the state.

"In this regard, we have resolved, without further delay, to declare a state of emergency in Imo State. This development is necessitated by the urgent need to redeem our state from the colossal malfeasance and maladministration that now threaten its very survival.”

The group's imagemaker further clarified that TMO is a coalition of patriotic sons and daughters of Imo State, “united in truth, guided by conscience and committed to accountability for the greater good of our state, adding that the only allegiance is to the people of Imo State and Nigerians.”

Continue, the pressure group stated: “It is within this spirit that they alert Nigerians on the renewed desperation of Governor Hope Uzodinma and his agents to silence Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi, a patriot, an intellectual and a vocal advocate for transparency and good governance.

"Credible reports reveal that some individuals who appeared in their stage-managed video were not even from Imo state but imported from neighbouring states. Indeed, some of those initially recruited for the charade from our state, rejected the script handed to them by agents of Imo State government, upon realizing the lies and misrepresentations it contained.

"For those who may be wondering the offence committed by Dr. Chima Amadi to warrant such assault on his person, his only “crime” is daring to align with President Bola Tinubu in demanding the release of constitutionally guaranteed local government funds to the LGAs, in line with the judgements of the Supreme Court. Available records show that, for almost six years, Governor Hope Uzodinma has cornered these funds, while the 27 local government areas rot.”

The Organization alleged that, according to statistics from the Federal Ministry of Finance, between 2020 till date, over N300 billion has accrued to Imo LGAs, yet the Council secretariats were overgrown with weeds while not one local government can boast of a single functional project.

"We wish to let Nigerians know that the heightened obsession to silence Dr. Amadi stems from the thought-provoking lecture he delivered recently as keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Catholic Men’s Organization at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri. We quote him inter alia;

“Let us consider Imo State, our beloved state. By many measures, we are blessed - with industrious people, rich culture, and substantial financial resources. Despite the hardship you see, Imo’s LGAs have received massive allocations in recent years from FAAC. Money has been flowing - the question is, why has it not translated into better lives for ordinary people? This is the prophetic burden we must address: exposing the gap between resources given and results on the ground,” the group said.

It further alleged that between 2020 and 2025, the 27 LGAs in Imo State collectively received over N330 billion in federal allocations, Mbaitoli alone received about N15.63 billion; even Nkwerre, the lowest, received N10.75 billion, “yet across the state, schools, health centres, sports facilities and roads remain in scandalous decay.”

"We wish to state categorically that we endorse, in totality, the position of Dr. Amadi and indeed insist that every kobo that has accrued to Imo State since 2020 must be accounted for. The disappearance of FAAC allocations, ecological funds, including intervention funds from international partners like WHO, USAID and WASH is too monumental to be swept under the carpet.

"We ask again, what is the wrongdoing in assisting indigent families? Why is the Imo State government intimidated and desperate to criminalize humanitarian efforts, instead of commending the benefactor? Does it imply that Governor Uzodinma is not saddled with more important state matters that he is so disturbed by an innocent outreach?

"Fortunately, Nigerians know the man who converts Imo’s allocations into wads of US dollars and British pounds, distributing them at will to buy his way into power circles. Simply put, they are afraid of Dr. Amadi because he is the mirror reflecting their corruption back to them.

"If Imo State government disputes Dr. Amadi’s revelations, we challenge them, again, to publish detailed audited reports of FAAC receipts and expenditures, backed by empirical data. Let them show what was done with over N330 billion received on behalf of the LGAs and prove the existence of projects on ground. Silence, propaganda and character assassination cannot wash away facts.

"Rather than recklessly calling on the EFCC to arrest Dr. Amadi on false accusations of naira abuse, we issue a solemn demand to the EFCC, other security agencies and relevant authorities to conclude and also commence investigation on the following:

"The Calabar dredging scandal - a $12 million contract fraud through his company, investigated by the Obla panel. Dud cheque case: A N200 million dishonoured cheque, referred to the EFCC. Non-declaration of assets: Filed by the FG before the Recovery of Public Property panel.

"EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigerian Police must immediately commence forensic investigations into the Hope Uzodinma administration, particularly into the disappearance of local government allocations, UBEC funds, ecological funds, WASH and USAID intervention funds. These monies, meant for development, have grown wings and vanished into - only Uzodinma knows where - while Imo people wallow in poverty.

"The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice must ensure that accountability processes are not stalled. Governor Hope Uzodinma must NOT escape justice for the monumental looting and reckless mismanagement of public resources.

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be vigilant. We warn that Uzodinma, characteristic of his person, could be scheming a different agenda in 2027 and may undermine your interest again, in pursuit of his vaulting ambition to become Vice President or Senate President. Mr. President, please beware.

“We demand that the Imo State House of Assembly publishes the details of all the loan requests it has approved for this administration. The Assembly must rise in defence and solidarity with the people of Imo State at this very critical time in our history.

"The EFCC and ICPC should probe all the loans - approved and unapproved - that have been received by the Hope Uzodimma administration. The cases mentioned above are well documented. If the so called GII is truly interested in law and order and the good governance in Imo State, let them endorse the above demands while tasking their paymaster on accountability.

“Importantly, we wish to use this medium to appeal to the federal government and security agencies to be vigilant on the activities of Imo State government. Governor Uzodimma’s obsession with the security details attached to Dr. Amadi confirms fears of a sinister plot.

“In addition to the threats on his life and integrity, the Imo State Government has now resorted to weaponizing state institutions against Dr. Chima Amadi.

Just a few days ago, through the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS), in a letter dated 12th August, 2025 (obviously backdated) and signed by its Executive Chairman, Prince R. Okoye, the Imo State government issued a spurious demand for the payment of arrears of N17 million between 2019 - 2024 as “income tax” purportedly owed by our Principal.

Nigerians must at this point note the disturbing dimensions the Uzodimma administration is taking in its desperation to silence Dr. Amadi and other voices of reason in the state. This latest demand letter, coming alongside death threats from faceless groups, is not about tax, rather one of the sinister ploys to eliminate him by all means necessary.

“We must emphasize that even the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expose this charade for what it is - blackmail. Section 2(2) of the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 (as amended) provides;

"In the case of an individual other than an itinerant worker and persons covered under subsection (1)(b) of this section, tax for any year of assessment may be collected only by the State in which the individual is deemed to be resident for that year under the provisions of the First Schedule of this Act.”

The government’s second letter dated September 4th specifically referenced personal income tax liability, yet by all subsisting laws, Dr. Amadi’s residency during the period under review was not in Imo State. Therefore, Imo State government has no jurisdiction to demand such payments.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Act only permits states to collect tax from an “itinerant worker”, defined as one who works in more than one state in Nigeria for a minimum of 20 days in at least three months of every assessment year, with no fixed or principal place of residence. Dr. Amadi does not fall into this category.

In fact, a judgement of the Court of Appeal in 2020 further clarified that even where an individual works in one state and resides in another, the obligation to pay personal income tax is to the state of residence, not the state of work.

This makes it abundantly clear that the so-called tax demand is not only malicious but illegal and indeed a crude attempt at intimidation and character assassination dressed up as fiscal compliance. The Imo State Government must be told in unmistakable terms that citizens have no obligation to obey unconstitutional orders or demands that breach extant laws and the Nigerian Constitution.

"We therefore task all patriotic Imolites, democrats, lovers of Imo, civil society organizations and pro-democracy groups to rise and resist these illegalities. This battle is not about one man, but about defending truth, justice, and the sanctity of our laws.

"We remind Nigerians of the killings, arson and assassination attempt on Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Rep. Ideato Federal Constituency, in 2021, a vocal democracy and rights activist at his village residence in Akokwa, Ideato North LGA of Imo State, which remains unresolved.

"This unprovoked attack on Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has earned his reputation, through painstaking, patriotic trajectory both as a scholar and public officer, presiding one of the nation's most sensitive organizations must be condemned. President Tinubu must call Governor Uzodinma to order.

"Consequently, we demand a retraction and an unreserved apology by the Imo State government to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Nigerians at large for this unfortunate blackmail on our collective sensibilities,” the group said.

While calling on all Imo stakeholders across political, religious and professional lines to rally around the cause of accountability, nothing that this is not about party or parochial interest, but it is about rescuing a state on the edge of collapse.

All efforts to reach the lmo state commissioner for information, public Orientation and strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, was unsuccessful. He neither responded to text message nor WhatsApp put across to him at as the time of filing this report.