I wish to congratulate Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church (Odozi-Obodo), on his election as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Your election at our nation's crossroads presents you with a unique opportunity of forging interfaith relations. Be assured of my hand of fellowship in the promotion of much-needed unity to spur socio-economic and political progress in our country. -AA

A political party contesting the 2023 elections, Action Alliance, has again sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, All Progressives Congress; its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged double nomination.

The party, in its earlier suit pending before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, is seeking the disqualification of the APC from the 2023 presidential polls over alleged act of perjury on the part of its presidential candidate, Tinubu.

However, in a fresh suit instituted on July 28, the plaintiff is again seeking the disqualification of the ruling party on the grounds that it has nominated a candidate for more than one constituency in the 2023 general elections.

The act according to the AA, in the fresh suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1256/2022, obtained by journalists on Thursday, contravened Section 35 of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022.

The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiff by Ukpai Ukairo, has INEC, APC, Tinubu and Shettima as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

The plaintiff is specifically seeking, “A declaration that the nomination of the 4th defendant by the 3rd defendant as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the 2nd defendant is void arising from the express provision of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022 in that the 4th defendant allowed himself to be nominated in more than one constituency for the 2023 elections.

“A perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th defendants from holding out themselves as Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates contesting the 2023 Presidential election on the platform of the 2nd defendant.”

The plaintiff also sought for another order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from listing the names of Tinubu and Shettima as Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates in the final list of candidates in the said election and restraining INEC from placing APC on the ballot for the said election.

In an affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by one Kalu Agu, the plaintiff claimed that the APC contravened the law when it submitted the name of Shettima both as candidate for Borno Central Senatorial and Vice President in the 2023 general elections.

“The 2nd defendant also submitted the name of the 4th defendant as its Candidate in Borno Central Senatorial election for the 2023 election and the 4th efendant swore to a Form EC9 in his capacity as the said Candidate and same was submitted to the 1st defendant.

“That the 4th defendant also on July 15, 2022 submitted another Form EC9 to the 1st defendant through the 2nd defendant and this time he was nominated for Vice Presidential Candidate.

“That the 4th defendant also deposed to the oath constituting the said Form EC9 as being nominated for the position of Vice Presidential Candidate.

“That Borno Central Senatorial Zone and the Presidential Election are two different constituencies.

“That the Plaintiff applied through me for the certified true copies of the Forms EC9 of the 4th defendant for the Borno Central Senatorial Zone and the Presidential election but the 1st defendant is delaying the release of it to the plaintiff”.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

President Muhammadu Buhari @mbuhari is preparing Nigeria for a military coup d'état, everything he’s doing points to it! Let those who have ears, hear this! #BuhariMustGo

Nasarawa State Government has ordered the immediate closure of both public and private schools across the 13 local government areas of the state, as a proactive step to safeguard the lives of its students.

This follows on the heels of security threats across the country, particularly at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the government already in possession of reports suggesting likely security threats in communities within the state, bordering the FCT, such as Gitata and Umaisha.

The decision to order the closure of schools across the state was part of the resolution arrived at during an expanded State Executive Council meeting, which took place at the Government House, Lafia on Wednesday.

Addressing newsmen after the council meeting, state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Fatu Jimaita Sabo, revealed that, having considered and reviewed the current situation in the country, especially regarding the security threats in the FCT, the state government decided to close both public and private schools in the state with immediate effect.

According to her, this has become imperative considering the proximity of the state to the FCT, as well as the resolve of the government to ensure that schools in Nasarawa State, operate within a safe environment.

She, however, explained that the directives exclude the exit classes that are already writing their final examinations, especially in secondary schools.

While announcing that her ministry will, in due course, issue a circular to that effect, the education commissioner however appealed to parents not to panic, adding that Nasarawa State is safe but that the decision was taken as a proactive step to safeguard the lives of both pupils and students across the state.

She said, “We are appealing to parents not to panic. We all know that Nasarawa State is safe but this decision was taken as a proactive measure to ensure that our children are safe and continue to remain safe. That is for those within the state and those that came from other states to study here.

“We want to also appeal to our principals and heads of respective schools, to also ensure that while we are closing these schools, we do it in an orderly manner.

“There’s no threat to any life or property as of now in Nasarawa State. And as I mentioned, it’s just part of the government’s proactive measure. We are all aware, that the Abdullahi Sule-led government has always prioritized security and safety of lives and property in Nasarawa State.”

The APC government in Plateau State, led by Simon Bako Lalong, has conceded ownership of the Jos Main Market after spending more than one billion naira to demolish it during the 2020 fiscal year.

Governor Lalong reportedly approached the management of Jaiz bank, seeking a partnership for the rebuilding of the Jos Main Market gutted by fire in 2002.

At a stakeholders meeting Tuesday, July 26, preparatory to signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the State Government was represented by the Commissioners for Commerce and Industry, Idris Gambo, and Information, Dan Manjang, the permanent secretary, Ministry of commerce and industry, and directors and staff of the ministry.

At the meeting, Lalong’s proxies agreed with representatives of Jaiz Bank that reconstruction cost of the project is ten (10) billion naira, and conceded ownership and control of the market at a ratio of 60 to 40 percent in favour of Jaiz Bank.

With the design of the project for reconstruction showing it will contain four thousand, three hundred and twenty one (4,321) shops, only one thousand seven hundred (1700), representing its 40% holding, will be owned by Plateau State during the forty (40) years covered by the agreement.

According to details of the stakeholders meeting, the reconstruction of the Market, which is to be done in three phases, is to be funded by Jaiz Bank, while the Plateau State government provides land, security, and enabling operational environment, as the reconstruction work is billed to be completed within twelve months.

With Lalong’s representatives at the meeting dispatched to proceed to engage the leadership of the Church in Plateau and convince it to accept the emerging arrangement, the two partners, that is the Plateau State government and Jaiz Bank, are expected to sign the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, any day of the first week of August 2022.

The Chairman, Electoral Matters of the African Democratic Congress, Chief Anayo Arinze, has told the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, not to be deceived by their massive social media following.

Arinze said those campaigning for the LP and its candidate via social media were only doing so to deceive them because the Independent National Electoral Commission had no polling units on social media platforms.

He stated this on Sunday at the ADC stakeholders’ meeting in Awka while noting that Obi’s popularity was mainly on social media and that the LP would not make any good headway because it had no structure nor politician to push its candidates for the 2023 electoral exercise.

According to him, the 2023 general election will be keenly contested across the states of the Federation and will be different from past elections.

He said, “I don’t think the Labour Party would make any good headway in the election. They are currently the champion on social media. They have no structure at all levels, including Anambra State, where its presidential candidate comes from.

“They have no offices where they do hold meetings except social media platforms, so how do you expect them to have votes on the election?”

He also noted that it would take a miracle for the Labour Party with no structure at the grassroots to win the election, particularly, in Anambra State.

He said the purpose of the ADC stakeholders’ meeting was to articulate the way forward for the party and its candidates for the 2023 general election.

He boasted that since the registration of the ADC in 2006 as a political party in Nigeria under the leadership of Chief Ralphs Nwosu, it had always produced the best presidential candidate that would transform Nigeria into a global super power, starting with Prof. Pat Utomi to the late Dr Obediah Mailafia, the former Deputy Governor of Central Bank Nigeria.

“For the 2023 presidential election, we have presented to Nigerians another great thinker, technocrat, a highly successful businessman, builder and entrepreneur, Mr Dumebi Kachikwu, whose businesses cut across 20 countries in four continents to take Nigeria to greater levels. Dumebi is ready and spurred to give Nigeria a holistic transformation to a global super power and reckoning in the community of nations,” he added.

He urged members of the party to re-enact their zeal, commitment and patriotism towards the party and all its candidates.

“Now that ADC is at the verge of winning major electoral victories in 2023, I implore all of you to stick with the party, shun anti-party activities as many of you are doing presently and focus on the ADC campaigns. Ensure that your wings are well covered. Let us work to deliver Mr Dumebi Kachikwu and our great party, the ADC, in 2023,” he noted.

About 36 residents of Keke B Community in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have reportedly been kidnapped.

The incident, our correspondent gathered, took place while many residents were preparing to retire for the day on Monday.

Bandits abduct Abuja couple in midnight raid
Police gun down two bandits in Kaduna
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the bandits, who operated unchallenged, moved from house to house.

According to Muhammad Salihu, a resident, “Many of us were still outside when the bandits attacked because it was quite early, around 8.30pm. They came in a large number, shooting sporadically and brandishing weapons.

“The broke into people’s houses one after the other and kidnapped the occupants. One person, a motorcycle mechanic, was able to escape from the kidnappers, but they went away with 36 residents.”

There is no official comment from security authorities at the time of this report. Efforts made to reach Mohammed Jalige, Police spokesman in Kaduna, did not yield result as his line was switched off.

Our correspondent, however, gathered that policemen are presently in the community to access the situation.

Daily Trust recalls that a month ago, seven residents of the same community were kidnapped including a man, his wife and their housemaids.

Thirty-seven (37) suspected internet fraudsters were arrested on Thursday July 21, 2022, by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They were picked up in different locations at Asaba, the Delta State capital following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in cyber-fraud.

The suspects are: Sulaimon Godspower, Ejiro Igho, Tega Oyah, Lucky Osawale, Nedum Monday, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Imafidon Umweni, Joe Ugoka, Ehis Famous, Olalekan Ogunsanya,Asonya Goodluck, Kingsley Andrew, Daniel Godswill, Ojibi Mairo Silver, Samuel Joseph,Majemite Simon and Emeka Udorah.

Others are: Osagboyo Hendrix,Uchenna Chukwujindu, Martin Andrew, Oganiru Godwin, Emmanuel Okoro, Isaac Alex,Mike Araco, David Happy, Maxwell Orakwe,Ugboka Innocent,Ufuoma Oyovwevotu, Kenneth Osaretin, Anthony Avworhok, Ikani Dennis,Simon Ogedegbe, Emmanuel Oyovwi, Williams Benjamin, Caleb Olisaebuka,Oghenekihworo Oghene and Agbogidi Great.

Items recovered from them include four Toyota Camry cars, one Mercedes Benz ML350 with registration number KSF-965-GD, and one Lexus RX 350 with registration number WWR-334-AH.

Several mobile phones, Mifi mobile wifi devices and laptops were also recovered in the course of execution of the search warrant.

Following the 2019 Presidential Election, I predicted that the 2023 contest would be a straight fight between former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.I also proceeded to argue that for all we know, to the average Northerner, there is no difference between the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling APC. It was, therefore, clear to us then that the same forces that helped President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, would also help in Atiku in 2023. Consequently, Tinubu would be thoroughly beaten.

Forty months on, what has changed in this direction? Nothing, absolutely nothing!

The 13 Daniels of the North came to judgment. They were wiser than the rest of us. In fact, for that master stroke, they deserve a medal, a gold medal for that matter. They stepped in to save the soul of the APC for their future use. If the primaries had gone the way the Buharists wanted it – Northern candidates for both the APC and PDP, the APC by now would have scattered into several unrecognizable pieces. All that was required was for Jagaban to pull out of the APC and the party would be lying prostate – gone forever!

They reckoned, and correctly so, that it would be better to give Tinubu that pyrrhic victory at the primaries and then ambush him at the main election. In other words, let him continue to win the battle and lose the war. He will not claim they did not help him.

If you want to be reminded of how the Northerners are focused on the agenda of a Northern President, you only need to think back at the speed with which Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State stepped down for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the PDP primaries. That was a speed directed from outside the arena of the primaries, and if he had waited for five minutes, Governor Nyesom Wike would have clinched the victory.

By their reckoning, Atiku is the next President of Nigeria. At the appropriate time, the Northern Daniels will still come to judgment by telling their people where to fix their thumbprints!

The only annoying thing, though, is the impunity with which these people are doing what they have always done. So early, they have dispatched emissaries to continue to spread the results of the coming election. They are all over the place. In his venom titled ‘Fulanis own Nigeria’, Usman Umar Sokoto sums it up most succinctly, “…presidency goes to another Fulani in PDP who will rule for eight years.”

Who will ever cure the Nigerian politicians’ propensity to introduce fatal distractions into their own trade? They agree openly with the rest of the civilized world the choice of a running mate is the exclusive preserve of the candidate, but they quickly turn around and want to choose the running mate for him. See how the League of PDP Governors turned themselves into a trade union for the purpose of giving Atiku a running mate. He picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta. But by the reckoning of the League, he should have picked Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

Compatibility was thrown to the winds. But in Atiku’s estimation, those who want to pocket a small snake out of kindness, will soon know that there are limits to kindness. And in the core Igbo land, who can beat Okowa’s reach across Delta, Edo and many other states? None! Remove ‘gra-gra’ from the whole thing, and you will find that Okowa is a most perfect feat for the job!

Again, the impression is given that most of the aspirants were not running to win. Ordinarily, a serious contestant would, from the very beginning, have an idea of who his or her running mate would be, if he or she won at the primaries. As a way of getting out of the awaiting-running-mate syndrome, may be, we should ask every aspirant to give an indication of who would be his or her running mate on the nomination form.

In the particular case of Tinubu, the push has started. In local parlance, what will kill a dog, does not smell to it. In spite of the stiff opposition that greeted the initial idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, the Northern Daniels have now baited Tinubu into the obvious misadventure of flying one. Unfortunate!

Is it not a height of naivety to think that with a proper electronic transmission of results direct from the polling units, you still expect to heave those humongous figures from a war-torn region as you did in 2019? Haba! Evidently, they are now pushing him down the dark alley. Not only does this obnoxious idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket offend the collective sensibilities of Nigerian Christians, it is also the very albatross of Tinubu himself!

Even for Atiku, it is not yet Uhuru. We cannot now confidently advise him to go and dry-clean his best babariga, preparatory to his inauguration because of the facts on ground. For sure, the Peter Obi Revolution is not a term in the abstraction. It is real! This will be the topic for our next outing.

I am reliably informed that there was a total National Grid Collapse at precisely 12:23pm today. This is one collapse too many. It is the 6th time this is happening this year alone.

Due to the priority that I place on the power sector upon which the successes of other sectors are hinged, I am proposing innovative financing of infrastructure that will involve the facilitation of a review of the financial, legal, and regulatory environment to promote private investment in power, among other sectors.

I’ll promote the incentivisation, with tax breaks, a consortium of private sector institutions to establish an Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF) to primarily mobilise domestic and international private resources for the financing and delivery of large infrastructure projects across all the sectors of the economy.

The IDF will have an initial investment capacity of approximately US$20 billion. In addition, I’ll cause the creation of an Infrastructure Development Credit Guarantee Agency to complement the operation of the IDF by de-risking investments in infrastructure to build investor confidence in taking risks and investing capital. -AA

The National Electrical grid collapse started when you and Obasanjo invested $16 billion to procure darkness for Nigeria, the @MBuhari regime came to gazette grid collapse as a law. Alhaji @atiku, don't pretend that you care about the National Grid! #WeCantContinueLikeThis

The senatorial ambition of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State was on Tuesday hung in the balance, as the only female aspirant, in the just concluded primary elections of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ann Agom-Eze went to court to stop him.

DAILY POST reports that Governor David Umahi through his counsel and elder brother, Roy Nwaze had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, to compel the commission to recognize Umahi as the authentic senatorial candidate for Ebonyi south senatorial zone.

Nwaze argued that the governor’s name should be recognized by INEC, hence the 1st winner of the Ebonyi south senatorial primary election which took place at Afikpo North LGA.

Mr. Austin Umahi a contender had withdrawn at the 2nd primary election conducted wherein David Umahi was reported to have won unopposed.

Also, Mudi Erhenedi, a counsel to senator Mikel Nnachi, who is representing Ebonyi South senatorial zone and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had approached the same federal High court sitting in Abakaliki to be joined in the suit, with the aim of stopping Umahi from being enlisted by INEC.

In a swift reaction, Nwonu Nnaemeka, counsel to Mrs Ann Agom-Eze, said he was instructed by his client to file a suit, requesting the court to join her in the suit filed by Umahi’s counsel, Nwaze and that she is the authentic senatorial candidate of APC in Ebonyi South zone, since Austin Umahi who won, had withdrawn from the contest, and not David Umahi.

Nwonu noted that his client is not aware of any conduct of another APC primary election in Ebonyi south senatorial zone, as being rumoured in the state.

According to him: “while we were in court, I got briefing to enter an appearance for Mrs. Ann Agom-Eze who sort to be joined as a party in a matter she got information about, patterning to her contestation for APC primary election.

“We indicated her interest in the matter, especially because her name was mentioned in the affidavit in support of the action, particularly in paragraph 10 of the affidavit in support of the originating summon, had made an allegation of her withdrawal, which she is denying and being that she is denying it, it is proper for the court to hear her.

“Mrs Ann Agom-Eze is the second runner up of the APC Primary election in Ebonyi south zone and being the second runner up if the winner of the primary election had withdrawn and the party decides to conduct another primary, she is supposed to be part of the processes and based on the instructions of our client, she is not aware of the holding of any other rerun election taken place anywhere, and she is the person to benefit from whatever the party decides if the candidate has withdrawn” he stated.

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, to resolve the prolonged industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.

The President gave the directive Tuesday after receiving briefings from the relevant government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the ongoing efforts to end the face-off with the university unions.

Buhari had summoned them to get more information on why the strike had persisted for too long.

ASUU had commenced one month warning strike on February 14, and other unions also joined them over the alleged inability of the federal government to meet up with their demands.

After Tuesday’s briefing, the President ordered the education minister to ensure that the areas of disagreements were sorted out within two weeks and report back to him.

Sources at the meeting also said Buhari directed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige must be in any of the meetings to resolve the crisis.

The sources added that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, should be part of the team to interface with the striking unions.

In attendance at the meeting were the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Ngige, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Chairman of National Salaries Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, the Director-General Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.

Oyo State House of Assembly has approved the nomination of the Chairman, Oyo State Housing Corporation, Adebayo Lawal as a replacement for Olaniyan who was removed from office less than an hour ago.

The approval followed the nomination by Governor Seyi Makinde who sent the name to the lawmakers for consideration.

The nomination was contained in a letter from the Executive to the lawmaker which was presented on Monday plenary.

The house had gone on a short recess after removing Olaniyan from office as the Deputy Governor.

The House reconveyed at about 12:15PM.

The speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin while reading the letter from the Executive said it was in response of an earlier letter sent by the lawmaker to the Governor dated July 18 informing him of the removal of Olaniyan from office.

Recall that Lawal was recently announced as the running mate of Makinde at the 2023 general election.

Defending the nomination, the majority leader of the House, Sanjo Adedoyin said the nomination should be favourably considered, approved and adopt in view of his antecedents in contributing to the progress of the state.

Seconding the motion, Kazeem Olayanju, Irepo/Olorunsogo state constituency seconded the motion that the house should confirm Lawal as the new deputy governor of Oyo state.

In his remarks, Speaker Ogundoyin put the nomination to a voice vote which went the ways of the “ayes”, saying with the vote, Lawal has been approved as the deputy Governor of the state.

The House later adjourned till Thursday 21st of July, 2022.

Another Kuje Prison Fugitive, a 33-year-old Kamal Abubakar, was re-arrested on Thursday evening in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina state, during a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in the council.

Abubakar who is suspected to be a fugitive from Kuje prison, Abuja was arrested yesterday evening, based on credible information that spurred the Divisional Police Officer of Danmusa and his team to carry out raids on suspected criminal hideouts within the LGA of the State.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court on Thursday dismissed a case filed by the state’s deputy governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, against his impreachment from office by the House of Assembly.

The judge held that the lawmakers and all the defendants have not erred on the procedures taken on by the impeachment process.

While delivering judgement, Ladiran said that originating summons filed by the claimant was purely legislative procedure and not judicial in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has returned to Nigeria after his vacation abroad.

He was welcomed by supporters, who hailed and chanted, “Atiku is coming” and "Welcome Daddy."

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has tackled a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, that the Ganduje Foundation was being used to allegedly force some Christian faithful to join Islam.

Recall that Naija News earlier reported that Babachir Lawal had accused Ganduje and some Northern Governors of attempting to Islamise Nigeria.

Babachir made the accusation in a lengthy article on Tuesday night while reacting to the decision of the APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to pick the former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.

The former SGF claimed that Ganduje was part of the Northern Governors and Northern Moslem elites who persuaded Tinubu to pick a Muslim as his running mate.

Babachir stated that the APC Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket is just a pointer to the alleged Islamization agenda of the country, adding that Ganduje had already confirmed that Tinubu would settle for the controversial ticket.

The former SGF claimed that Ganduje is in total support of the Muslim-Muslim ticket because he runs a foundation aimed at converting Christians to Muslims.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Mallam Muhammad Garba, the governor described the claims as unjustifiable.

He said the claims are totally false considering that, while there is no compulsion in religion, Islam gave individuals the freedom to choose their own religion, and also provided non-Muslims with considerable economic, cultural and administrative rights.

Ganduje assured that the Bola Tinubu-Kashim Shettima ticket would not in any way result in the neglect of Christians in the country.

The governor urged Babachir Lawal, Christian party members and other Nigerians “to be mindful of their utterances, especially on religious matters and support the APC for quality leadership that will deliver the country from its challenges.”

He explained that the Ganduje Foundation “was set up about 40 years ago and is engaged in philanthropic, humanitarian and charitable activities that included medical, support and assistance to the needy in the society, particularly the orphans and the physically challenged, medical outreach to attend to those with diabetes, hypertension, malaria, dental as well as ante-natal and maternal care.”

He added that since its establishment, the foundation has built many schools, healthcare centres, distributed free school uniforms and instructional materials to new intake in primary schools, construction of boreholes and mosques.

Others include the distribution of food items to the orphanage and Muslim communities during the Sallah and fasting period, the Christian community during the Christmas and Easter period, provision of medical assistance to the needy as well as other philanthropic activities.

Ganduje stated that available statistics indicated that “no fewer than 380, 000 people have benefited from the foundation’s Eye Care Programme that included treatment for cataract and glaucoma, as well as distribution of medical glasses.

“Governor Ganduje always stands for religious harmony in Kano as exemplified by the administration’s creation of the Ministry for Religious Affairs, where the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria is a partner and enjoys a good working relationship with the governor as well as the introduction of an Inter-Faith Dialogue that promotes religious harmony between Muslims and Christians in the state.

“Governor Ganduje’s disposition on religious tolerance informed his administration’s stance on guaranteeing religious freedom and association for ethnic nationalities in the state, which earned him recognition and conferment of traditional title of Agu Na Eche Mba of Igbo land by the Chairman, Abia State/South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Eberechi Dick and another chieftaincy title conferred on him and his wife as Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadan by Olubadan, Oba (Dr.) Senator Mohood Olalekan Ishola.”

The candidate of People Democratic Party in the July 16 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has accused the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola of denying him access to the Osogbo City Stadium and the Freedom Park, Osogbo, for his final rally.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Adeleke said he personally pleaded with Oyetola to allow him use the Osogbo City Stadium or the Freedom Park for his mega rally.

He said PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and some governors, were expected to attend the rally.

“For our mega rally, we are expecting PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and some Governors. I won’t tell you the names of the governors that are coming. The PDP National Campaign Committee for Osun election is showing commitment to this campaign, but we have been denied access to the stadium and Freedom Park.”

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Funke Egbemode, denied Adeleke’s claim, explaining that the venues had been approved for other programmes before Adeleke applied to use either of them.

According to political pundits, Saturday’s election is a two-horse race between Adeleke and Oyetola.

Both men squared off in the keenly contested 2018 election which did not end on first ballot.

You Don't Trample on People Because They're Tolerant, We Will Mobilse Against APC - Abraham Sam Aiyedogbon

Senior Apostolic Leader, Realm of Glory International Church, emphasizes the resolve of the church to vote against the APC for fielding a Muslim Muslim Ticket.

“We are not being allowed to use the stadium for our own rally? Why? Sad … pure wickedness … God knows best we will still find an alternate venue .. God bless.”

“Nigeria and Osun are counting on you @inecnigeria,” the singer added.

A famous quote: ‘Are you Hindu, muslim or Christian?’ And a young girl replied, ‘I am hungry!’ As the elites selfishly try to smuggle religion into politics, ordinary citizens just need good governance. We must steer the country towards the part of making HUMANITY our religion!

No one should deceive us, as ordinary Nigerians, be it a pastor or Imam, to vote or not to vote for anyone based on the religious colouration of the ticket. Let the debate begin as to the PERFORMANCE of @officialABAT as Gov. of Lagos State and not the issue of same faith ticket

ON TINIBU'S MUSLIM/MUSLIM PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY:

Now that Tinibu has announced a Muslim/Muslim presidential candidacy, Any Spiritual father, Mentor, Church, or Christian that supports him or votes for him has left the faith. And has betrayed the church of Christ.

They have also by that action prove to us that they are the real enemies of Christianity in Nigeria.

All members of such Spiritual Fathers', Mentors, and Pastors should stop attending such churches, as they may not be safe under such a leader.

If under President Buhari with a Pastor as Vice President, Christians are being killed like chickens.

Under a Muslim/ Muslim govt, there may not be Christians anywhere in the land.

Senator Bola Amend Tinubu should know better.

Because even his marriage is a Muslim/Christian arrangement.

Nigeria is already on the path of Islamization.

This move is to completely achieve the Islamization agenda.

Go read the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, you won't find the word Christianity, God, and church there, but you will find the word Islam and muslim there.

Islam is mentioned 28 times.

Muslim is mentioned 10 times.

But you won't find the word church, Christ, and Christain there.

Don't believe me, go and read it for yourself.

Only a Spiritual father who has placed Personal interest above our collective interest will support this evil.

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Should take note.

Be blessed.

Irabor wisdom
Writing from Warri Delta State.

From a distance, no one will mistake Peter Obi for someone who is vile or a troublemaking politician. His charisma, calm smile and robust brilliant mind reveal him to be a gentleman who espouses the principles of civility and democracy. But such can’t be said about the followers of the Labour Party presidential flag bearer. His online supporters are condescending, vitriolic and sharp-tongued. They see any criticism against the man as personal insult. They view every dissent as an attack on their candidate. They want to ride the horse of tyranny to make their candidate president.

In a world where you can’t have a contrarian view, where every dissent is clamped down with tyrannical disdain, it’s said that democracy indeed dies in darkness. This is the world of Obi’s horde of supporters. It’s heart-wrenching to observe.

A good example is their recent rampage against social media influencer and ex-Goodluck Jonathan aide, Reno Omokri. Needless to say, Omokri has been a vehement, open and unashamed supporter of the People Democratic Party’s candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. In the opinion of Omokri, the APC has failed the country in leadership, governance and security. Also, he doesn’t see Peter Obi winning the popular vote based on his political calculation and permutations. Hence, he’s pitching his tent with PDP.

Now, for Peter Obi’s supporters, Omokri has committed the unpardonable sin. To them, anyone who has decided not to be obedient to the cause of their political mascot is an infidel, to be treated as a pariah.

What’s more, they argue that Omokri should be removed from the social media space. The little tyrants, Orwellian thought-police have begun to campaign on Twitter for the removal of Omokri. Their groupthink philosophy is that if he doesn’t agree with them, he doesn’t deserve to have any social media platform to express his views. In the alternate reality of social media, he should be burnt in an outer court.

Omokri is not the only one that bears the burns of holding an opposing view. Almost every influential Nigerian right now on Twitter are afraid to express their belief and campaign for their chosen candidate because of the fear that Obi-dient tyrants will come for them. They’ll also lose their cyber space and end up an online nonentity. This is alarming.

For people who claim that they want to save Nigeria from the verge of tranny, it’s ironic and pathetic that they have become tyrants themselves. They’ve built around them an impenetrable bubble that doesn’t permit anyone else in. This bubble is veiled and opaque that they themselves can’t look outside and see their opposition as fellow humans, fellow Nigerians. After all, political theatre is a marketplace of ideas. If your idea is strong and convincing enough to resonate with the populace, why try to bully others into silence? Why try to stifle dissent?

Perhaps the reason could be that the ideas and ideals that Peter Obi espouses are not strong enough in their own merit that there’s a need to silence the opposition. Perhaps the simple fear that others might consider other alternatives is so great in these fanatics that they will rather cut the tongues of those who dare speak in its name.

A candidate can’t be imposed on anyone. What we need aren’t some online tyrants that call others names and threaten to deprive them of their social media space. What we need is a robust discussion about where our nation is going and who is more qualified to take us there. Enough of this mob rule.

“As part of the deliberate effort of the Command to get the State rid of kidnappers and other criminal elements, the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, in collaboration with the vigilantes, trailed and arrested three(3) suspected kidnappers inside a deep forest in Ijan-Ekiti.

The arrested suspects – ABDULLAHI MUSA ’38yrs’, ABDULLAHI ALI ’25yrs’ and ABDULLAHI SULEIMAN ’19yrs’, during interrogation, confessed to have been engaged in series of kidnapping operations in Ekiti State including two kidnapping incidents in Ikere-Ekiti.

The suspects further disclosed their syndicate comprises seven(7) men with four others currently at large. Effort is ongoing for the possible arrest of the fleeing suspects”.

DSP Sunday Abutu
Police Public Relations Officer
Ekiti State Command