Category: Nigeria

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has chastised the Labour Party’s flagbearer, Mr Peter Obi, for his church visits.

Okowa told reporters in Kano State on Wednesday that he does not believe in dragging the church into partisan politics, emphasising that politics is not the church’s calling.

He lamented that, in their desperation to win the February 2022 election, some presidential candidates are now reaching out to anyone, even at the expense of their faith.

“Now you begin to look at what is going on; the Peter Obi factor is as if he is trying to go through the church and make it look as if he is driving the Christians into politics. I do not believe that the church should actively go into politics because that is not their calling.

“But people are just hanging to anything they can reach out to even to the detriment of their fate. I don’t believe that’s the right part to go,” he said.
It was reported that Peter Obi had on several occasions appeared in different church programmes.

Recall that video of the former Anambra Governor, who was given an unusual ovation when he appeared at the Glory Dome, Abuja, had trended on all social media platforms.

Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, has stated that Nigerians appear to be confused about the state of the country.

He made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja, during Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto’s 70th birthday celebration.

“From what I’ve heard from the panellists, we appear to be confused about our country,” the ex-Lagos State governor said. “We inherited tongues from the Bible, but our diversity is a sign of prosperity.”

Tinubu hailed him for his contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria, describing him as a great man who is endowed with resilient intellectual abilities.

In commending the cleric for building an institution on his 70th birthday anniversary, he charged the Sokoto Bishop to also build the nation.

The APC candidate, who pledged to contribute to the completion of the Kukah project, charged Nigerians to also contribute to the development of the nation.

He added, “You are building an institution in honour of your 70th birthday. I am 70 too. Bishop, you will build not just the institution but the greatness of a nation.

“It is on your shoulder; it is on mine and we must build it together. I must and I will contribute handsomely personally to build and see to the completion of that institution because it reflects something.”

On his part, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, described Kukah for his undying love for the country.

Tambuwal, who chaired Kukah’s 70th birthday celebration in Abuja, commended Kukah for his strong belief in the possibility of a new Nigeria.

He said that although Kukah’s criticism of the nation’s bad governance has been controversial, he (Kukah) believed Nigeria could and would come out of the doldrums of failed political leadership.

The event was attended by key political actors for the 2023 elections, including the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; his running mate, Kashim Shettima; the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and many others.

Former All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirants who were supposed to meet on Wednesday in Abuja did not show up.

It was reported that the aspirants were scheduled to meet at Transcorp Hilton on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. to brainstorm and come up with viable strategies to support the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Dr Nicolas Felix, one of the former presidential candidates, stated in a statement on Monday that the move was made to ensure that the party won the presidential election in February 2023.
“We will also brainstorm on adopting winning campaign strategies to support our standard-bearer, Bola Tinubu, and seek to carry every Nigerian along in our bid to coast home to victory in the 2023 general elections,” he said.

However, a few hours to the commencement of the meeting, Felix who is believed to be the youngest of the aspirants, announced its postponement, stating that a new date would be announced.

“Please be informed that the strategic meeting of 2023 Presidential Aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, scheduled to hold on Wednesday the 31st of August has been postponed,” he said.

He was, however, unable to give reason for the sudden postponement.

However, a source close to the party said that, aside from Felix, no other aspirant was interested in the meeting.

According to him, the majority of the former aspirants were still stunned by the former Lagos Governor’s victory in the June 8 primary election.

“I can confidently tell you that more than 19 of them are not ready to work with Asiwaju to win the 2023 election,” he said. How many of them have you seen discussing Tinubu?

“The election did not go as planned, and some of us are still stunned.” Having a strategy to sell our candidate is critical.”

Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has advised Nigerians not to be divided over the All Progressives Congress’ Muslim-Muslim presidential candidate (APC).

Obasa told Nigerians that a number of Asian leaders are not religious but have led their countries to great heights.

The Speaker spoke at the Assembly’s 14th Annual Hijrah Lecture on Wednesday.

He emphasised that religion has never been a determinant in the development of many successful countries.

“Good governance is seen all around them in countries like India, Singapore, China, most of the democratic states in Asia, and some other parts of the world where neither Islam nor Christianity is practised,” he said.

The Speaker argued that the spiritual core of democratic governance is the obligation to serve the people with godly principles and noble objectives.

He told citizens to focus on whoever will be fair, just, visionary and can identify good people to work with in order to achieve success, not religion.

Obasa urged religious bodies to deploy their spiritual energies in not only undermining the negative forces of nepotism, but in positively enhancing the development of Nigeria.

“Whether the political party contesting is running on Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket and otherwise, our focus should be the good intentions of the contestants,” he added.

The Speaker charged the people not to allow anyone to bamboozle them with religion as they make their choice early next year at the polls.

The Speaker added that as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria being a secular state, there is no provision for the elevation of a particular form of religion over another.

The APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima are Muslims, a situation opposed by the Christian community in the country.

Some chieftains of the ruling party, including ex-House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and ex-Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal had voiced their displeasure.

Rivers State Governor Nyelsom Wike accused some unnamed retired generals of threatening him with the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, if he did not do their biddings.

Governor Wike, who did not name the ex-generals or the demands they made on him, vowed that he would not do anyone’s bidding except what would benefit the majority of Nigerians.

This came as he charged some former generals with redirecting their CIA goodwill to fighting insurgency in Nigeria rather than threatening him and his supporters with the American security outfit.
He said it was most unfortunate that the unnamed retired Generals would turn their “contacts” with the CIA to fight an individual rather than use same to confront the issue of insecurity bedevilling the country.

Wike made the disclosure while flagging off the construction work of Igwuruta internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, which was performed by Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State.

“Some people threatened that they are former generals, they are close to the CIA in America and they can deal with us. I said listen, no problem. If you are close to the American CIA, why don’t you use it to solve the Boko Haram problem? Is it on my body (me) that you’ll use it? Nigeria has a serious problem and you are close to the CIA, you know them as former generals, so why not use that contact and solve Nigeria’s problem?

“You want to use it to threaten me. Who are you that I should come and do your own biddings? I say no to that. I will do the biddings of Nigerians not the biddings of a few people who believe that if they are not there, it should be their children,” Wike stated.

He pointed out that if President Muhammadu Buhari does not renege on his pledge not to interfere with the conduct of the 2023 general elections, the All Progressives Congress will be doomed noting that such resolve means that President Buhari is serious about leaving an enduring legacy of conducting a free and fair election.

“I thank Mr President that he wants to leave a legacy of conducting a free and fair election.

“Thank God Mr President for saying that you will not interfere or intimidate anybody. That means your party has no way to win.”
He expressed doubt concerning the public promise made by the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) to deliver a better election to Nigerians saying “my problem is INEC, whether they will do what they said they will do. They are making promises now. I don’t know whether they will keep to it. If INEC will keep to the promises that Nigeria will get a better election, I will be so happy. Everybody will see with their eyes, that Abuja does not vote. It is the people here that will vote.”

Wike went on to stress the need for those seeking votes from Rivers electorate to courageously tell them what they will eventually benefit from such electoral support.

He said; “So, if you have given to Adamawa, you have given to Benue, you have given to Delta, would you not give Rivers? Is it just to collect our votes?”

Wike disassociated himself from such people who he said can do anything as agents set against their own people. He emphasised that no matter the enticement, he will never betray his or mortgage the interest of Rivers State.

As part of efforts to reduce employment among youths in Ogun State, about 1000 youths drawn from Saje-Elega, Mokola, Ajitaadun and Iberekodo communities in Abeokuta North local Government Area, are to benefit from the Youths Empowerment Programme of the State government.

Speaking while on an inspection tour of Saje-Elega road, the State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun explained that his current administration is determined to assist the youths to be self dependent, stating that the government has put in place empowerment programs that would be beneficial to the youths across the State.

“I will ask the local government chairman and the liaison officers to compile the list of youths in this local government and 1,000 of them will be empowered and we will also give them some stipends. This is because when the youth are able to take care of their needs, there will be less problems in our communities.

“I know that our youths are hardworking and since not all of them can be employed or given contracts, we will empower them and make them feel a sense of belonging”, the governor noted.

While appreciating the people of the community for their steadfastness and commitment to the development of the State, the governor explained that he was at the area to inspect the road and fashion out the lasting solution to make it accessible for the people of the area.

Speaking on his ordeal at the community during the last electioneering campaign, the governor, who was full of praises to God and the people of the communities, said he and his entourage were attacked at the Iberekodo market by some sponsored hoodlums, but survived the attack through God’s intervention and the help of the people.

“When I came here in 2018 to campaign, some hoodlums came and attacked us with guns and other dangerous weapons. We were able to survive through the intervention of God and your support and so I am here to appreciate you and to thank you for all that you have given us so far,” he said.

Assuring the people of the area of more dividends of democracy, the State helmsman urged them to continue to support the government in its quest to reposition the State and the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Prof. Rufai Alkali, has quashed insinuations that the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso is working for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It was reported that speaking with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, Prof. Alkali said Kwakwanso, a former governor of Kano State, has what it takes to win the 2023 Presidential election.

Alkali, a one-time presidential adviser on political affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, who noted that the NNPP Presidential candidate has a better political credentials than his opponents having been governor, Senator, Minister and Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, said that the presidential hopeful is on the race because of his desire to change the cause of things in the country and not for personal aggrandisement.

In a similar vein, Kwankwaso said that he would not forego his presidential ambition for anyone, including the presidential flagbearer of the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of the ruling APC, Tinubu.

Kwankwaso insisted that his party, the NNPP, is popular across Nigeria, and “we are sure of victory at the polls”.