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No Cause For Alarm Over Supreme Court Judgement Saga – Imo State Govt, Dismisses It As “Exercise In Futility”

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Imo State Government has urged the people of the State to remain calm over the purported attempt by the opposition to seek an enforcement from the Supreme Court on its judgment of 2020 concerning the double nomination of Uche Nwosu for the 2019 gubernatorial election.

It described the latest suit by the opposition  as a distraction and mere academic exercise since the Supreme Court had laid to rest all issues pertaining to the election when it affirmed Senator Uzodimma as the validly elected Governor of the State.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba in a statement in Owerri declared that since it was obvious to the opposition Parties that they were losing the upcoming governorship elections to Governor Uzodimma, they have contrived the suit to cause confusion and distract the electorate.

He described the latest effort as an exercise in futility because the so-called ruling on  Nwosu was on nomination and not as the candidate of the APC in the said election.

According to him, “they have forgotten that Uche Nwosu later went to the Federal High Court to challenge the candidature of Senator Hope Uzodimma, and he lost. That judgment was never appealed.

“Secondly, they appear to suffer a selective amnesia  that, according to the relevant  Electoral Act, matters  pertaining to pre election matters are Statutes barred.  So, clearly, they are out of time.”

Emelumba wondered why anyone would wait few days to the election  to file a suit that is dead on arrival “if not for the fact that they know they will be defeated by Governor Uzodimma and APC in the November 11 governorship contest.

He described as a dramatic irony  the opposition elements approach to the same Supreme Court it lampooned and derided when it declared Sen Uzodimma as the validly elected Governor of Imo State.

“Are they now tired of calling Uzodimma the Supreme Court Governor that they are shamelessly going to the same Supreme Court?” he asked.

The Commissioner accused the opposition of engaging in abuse of court processes and wasting taxpayers’ money .

He wondered what else they were looking for since the Supreme Court has ruled that Sen. Uzodimma is the validly elected Governor and threw out the suit by PDP seeking a judicial review of the judgment.

He called on supporters of Governor Uzodimma and the entire Imo electorate to ignore the antics of the opposition and go ahead to vote for APC in the November 11 election.

New Students Loan Scheme Commences January – President Tinubu

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government is working on a credible loan scheme for students in tertiary institutions in the country.

President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that by January 2024, the new Students Loan Programme must commence.

President Tinubu gave the assurance while speaking at the 29th edition of the annual Nigerian Economic Summit, anchored by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

According to him, “To the future of our children and students we’re saying no more strikes.

“There must be consumer credit, scheme will have to come to effect as soon as possible. I thank my team and my colleagues to build this programme, develop it now.”

President Bola Tinubu was of the view that with the scheme in place, the era of industrial actions in the nation’s academic environment would come to an end.

Tinubu, who spoke extensively on his administration’s plans to stabilize the economy, with the collaboration of all stakeholders, especially the private sector, also noted the need to immediately initiate a sustainable credit scheme, which he said will aid an effective anti-corruption campaign.

“We cannot talk about anti-corruption when you have to look for cash to buy a car, when there’s no mortgage for homeownership.”

He said: “By January 2024, the new Students Loan Programme must commence. To the future of our children and students we’re saying no more strikes.”

Tinubu: Supreme Court Reserves Ruling On Atiku, Obi’s Appeals

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Supreme Court has adjourned the appeals of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared winner of the February 25, 2023,  Presidential Election, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The duo of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as well as the Allied Peoples Movement had challenged the victory of President Tinubu. But the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal struck out their appeals on September 6, 2023.

However, Chukwuma Umeh, APM’s counsel, applied to withdraw the suit after the apex court failed to grant its request to void Tinubu’s election.

But the PDP and LP continued with their cases.

The 7-member panel led by Justice John Okoro reserved the ruling on the matter after the arguments by lawyers of respective parties.

“This appeal is reserved for judgement until a date to be communicated to parties,” Okoro held.

Breaking: Supreme Court To APM: “What Do You Stand To Gain From This Suit?”, Throws Case Out

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Supreme Court Abuja

By Akinwale Kasali

The  Supreme Court has thrown out the appeal of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, against the election of President Bola Tinubu as President.

The party had claimed that the place-holder nominated by Tinubu as his running mate, Ibrahim Masari, before he was replaced by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was not replaced within the 14 days stipulated by Section 33 of the Electoral Act.

At the hearing on Monday the lead counsel for the party, Chukwuma -Machukwu Ume told the Court that their appeal was not premised on double nomination.

He insisted that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima was illegally nominated.

The Court asked if the APM had anything to gain from the matter.

“What will you gain if you win this appeal? There are other appeals that are asking for something substantial. There is nothing to gain but to give us work to do. You are not asking us to put your candidate there as President.”

The APM lawyer, however, applied to withdraw his appeal.

APC, INEC, Ibrahim Massari, and Tinubu’s counsels did not object.

“Having been withdrawn, the appeal is hereby struck out.”

Survivors Of Benue Bank Robbery Get Government Attention

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Benue State Government has reached out to victims of last week’s bank Robbery in Otukpo on their hospital beds with assurance to assist them.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, during the visit, promised that the government would give the victims justice by doing everything to apprehend the criminals.

The incident led to pandemonium in Otukpo town Friday afternoon as armed men with the use of explosives and sophisticated weapons invaded five commercial banks in the ancient town.

Several persons including the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, (DPO), in charge of Otukpo, three other officers, among others were shot dead after which they carted away large sums of money.

The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by top security personnel in the state also visited the scenes of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

Dr. Ode, who made known his visit on his verified social media page, also offered financial assistance to all the survivors of the attack who are currently receiving treatment in hospitals in Otukpo.

The Deputy Governor who hails from the town, in the message said: “I paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scenes of the robbery which took place in Otukpo on Friday evening.

“I was accompanied by the leaders of the various security agencies comprising of the Army, Police and the DSS, where we offered government sympathy to the families of all the victims of the sad incident.

“I also visited the Och’Idoma, HRM, Dr Elaigwu John Odogbo, to condole him and the entire Idoma nation over the robbery attack on our homeland.

“Equally, I visited the injured victims who are receiving treatment in various hospitals and offered them financial assistance.

“Government will do everything necessary to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice speedily.”

During the unprecedented bloody armed robbery, a number of fatalities was recorded including the Divisional Police Officer of Otukpo, three female Police Officers, and Emmanuel Uche, a UBA newly recruited staff who had just finished serving his country as a Youth Corper.

According to Police sources, four of the dare devil robbers have been arrested, while two were neutralised on the day of the Robbery by soldiers who gave them a hot chase – sadly, after the tragic incident.

The Banks raided were UBA, First Bank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and Zenith Bank.

Gumi: Why Security Agents Should Arrest Him

By
The Source
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By Femi Fani-Kayode

Fani-Kayode, in a viral voice mail, tackles Islamic fundamentalist, Abubakar Gumi, for inciting Muslims against Christians, saying Christians cannot be trusted with power, and asking for the removal of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike from office – obviously because Wike is a Christian

I am not too concerned  about the rantings of this little monkey against the government because there are many people that are in government that are paid to respond to him and handle that and I am not in government.

However, I am concerned about his rantings against Christian community and what I believe is southerners generally – both Christians and Muslims, that is how I am reading all he has said.

He has said Christians cannot be trusted with power because when in power, and when they are in control of guns or when they are in power, they people – they kill leaders and followers whereas the Muslims do not. But let me ask these questions: was it the Christians that slaughtered over 150 people in northern Nigeria in 1966 in pogroms? Was it the Christians that killed 300 Igbo officers in the July 29, 1966 counter-coup?

Was it Christians that slaughtered people all over the north from 1970 up until the present day – all over the north – slaughtered Christians – whether it is through Boko Haram, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), Maitatsine and so many other extremists, barbaric, terrorists organisations?

Was it a Christian who said that he would rather die than allow a Muslim to rule the affairs of Nigeria? Was it not Gumi’s father, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, that said that he would rather die than allow Christians rule our country and amazingly he died a few months later and a Christian took power.

All the butchery and mass murders that have taken place in northern Nigeria and even parts of southern Nigeria – in Zango Kataf in southern Kaduna, in Numa in Adamawa State, in Benue State, in Taraba State, Plateau State all over the north where Christian communities were targeted by various Islamic groups and various terrorist groups and butchered in their homes into pieces and even parts of the South when the Fulani herdsmen were attacking the South, butchering the people as far as the East and Yoruba land, and South-South.

Were the people that perpetrated these things Christians? Or were they terrorists? I wouldn’t call them Muslims; I called them terrorists because they do not represent Islam. These people are butchers and barbarians rather like Hamas and what they were doing to people is precisely what Hamas did to the Jews on October 7, of this month.

So, he should stop trying to make it look as if only Christians kill. Human beings kill one another and that is a tragedy but he should stop pointing fingers at the Christian community and stop disregarding the fact that there are many millions of decent God God-fearing Muslims in both North and South who cannot be categorized as terrorists like him.

Let me just add this: the terrorists that he represents kill not just Christians but they kill Muslims too. If that was not the case, how do we explain the fact that these same terrorists this man represents and constantly defends and helps and rationalises and negotiates on their behalf and so on and so forth, and speaks for them and… these same terrorists slaughter Muslims in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Jigawa and all over the core north.

They also slaughter Muslims in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and all over the northeast. So the people he represents or rather the animals that Gumi represents are not Muslims, they are terrorists and they kill as many Muslims as they do Christians – they kill both Christians and Muslims so who is he?

To now get up and say that Christians cannot be trusted with guns or positions of power or in the military or security agencies or intelligence agencies. This issue is above politics. If we are one nation, we should respect one another. Nothing matters more than this. Whether you are a northerner, a southerner, a Christian or a Muslim, respect one another. Other than that, we may not have a nation left, and God forbid that this country should be engulfed in a religious crisis or another war.

Let it be clear to the whole country that we, the Christians, will not bow to anybody and neither will rational reasonable Muslims bow to this side of terroristic rhetoric and neither will we let such people push us into a civil war.

We want peace in this country and call on the government, the DSS (Department of State Services), police and all the security agencies and President Bola Tinubu to ensure that this man is called to order, that he is called in, he is warned and arrested and if necessary prosecuted for incitement and an attempt to destabilise our country.

Fani-Kayode was a former Aviation Minister in the Government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Supreme Court: What Tinubu, Atiku, Obi Said In Court Today

By
James Orji
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9:04 a.m: A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court led by John Okoro files into the courtroom.

The seven-member panel include: John Okoro, Uwani Abba-Aji, Lawal Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijjani Abubakar and Emmanuel Agim.

9:07 a.m: Court registrar calls Atiku’s appeal against Mr Tinubu.

09:10 a.m.: Chris Uche, a SAN, announces appearance for Atiku.

09:12 a.m: Abubakar Mahmoud, a SAN, announces legal representation for Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC.

9:14 a.m: Wole Olanipekun, a SAN, announces appearance for Mr Tinubu.

9.16 a.m: Akin Olujinmi, a SAN, announces legal representation for the APC.

9:18 a.m.: Chris Uche, a SAN, says the appeals are ripe for hearing.

Mr Uche says there are some pending interlocutory applications.

09:20 a.m.: Mr Uche moves a motion filed 6 October 2023.

He seeks five minutes of adumberation of the application.

“We are praying for an order of leave to present fresh evidence on appeal based on the deposition on oath from Chicago State University,” he says.

He says the application is predicated on 20 grounds and an affidavit of 20 paragraphs filed on behalf of Atiku.

Mr Uche says upon the receipt of counter-affidavit from Mr Tinubu, the APC and INEC, his team filed a written address dated 18 October.

Mr Uche adopts the application and urges the court to grant their request.

9.26 a.m.: He says the issue involving Mr Tinubu’s certificate is a weighty, grave and constitutional one, which the Supreme Court must decide. He urges the court to admit the fresh evidence of President Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University presented by Atiku.

He says the Supreme Court has a duty to take a look at Mr Tinubu’s records and reach a decision devoid of technicality.

9:28 a.m.: The presiding justice, Mr Okoro, asks Mr Uche whether the Supreme Court should rely on the Electoral Act or the Constitution.

In his response, Mr Uche says the issue about Mr Tinubu’s certificate is a constitutional matter which the court should look into.

9:29 a.m.: A member of the panel, Emmanuel Agim, asks Mr Uche to explain the nature of Atiku’s fresh documents he seeks to tender before the Supreme Court.

9:32 a.m. Justice Agim asks whether the testimony by CSU registrar was conducted in a court.

Justice Agim says from Mr Uche’s court filing, the testimony by the CSU registrar held in Atiku’s lawyer’s law office in the US.

9:35: am: Justice Agim says the CSU did not issue any letter discrediting Mr Tinubu’s certificate
“We are dealing with a matter that touches on the national unity of Nigeria,” the Justice adds.

9:36 a.m: Justice Okoro seeks clarification from Atiku’s lawyer, Mr Uche.

9.38a.m.: Mr Okoro asks Mr Uche why he wants the Supreme Court to brush aside constitutional provisions and entertain the fresh evidence.

09:39 a.m.: Mr Uche explains that Section 233 of the constitution gives the Supreme Court the power to entertain questions about whether a person has been properly elected.

9:43 a.m.: Mr Uche responds to the issue raised about the CSU proceedings.

“There is a slight distinction between proceedings in the US and the UK.

“In the US, that is how court proceedings are done.
“Mr Tinubu was represented by a US lawyer, but he did not object to the proceedings being held in Atiku’s lawyer’s office.”

Mr Uche says depositions are more effective than letters from the CSU authorities regarding the authenticity of Mr Tinubu’s academic records.

9:43 a.m: Justice Okoro says criminal matters have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. But that in this case, there are two conflicting letters from the CSU – one authenticating the president’s certificate and another discrediting it. “Which do we rely on?” he asked.

Mr Uche refers the court to a letter earlier issued to Michael Enahoro-Ebah, a lawyer, who testified for Atiku against Mr Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja.

9:48 a.m.: INEC lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, asks the Supreme Court to dismiss Atiku’s application seeking to tender Mr Tinubu’s academic records.

9:49a.m.: Mr Olanipekun, who is Mr Tinubu’s lawyers, urges the Supreme Court to “dismiss this very unusual application” seeking to tender fresh evidence against Mr Tinubu.

He says the fresh evidence is not admissible.

Mr Olanipekun argues that the CSU depositions are dormant until the deponent comes to court and testify. INEC should have been a party at the deposition proceedings in the US, the lawyer says.

Mr Olanipekun further says the question of 180 days (the statutory period within which an election petition should be filed and determined) is clear. It is sacrosanct. It cannot be shifted. Therefore, Atiku cannot seek to tender fresh evidence at the Supreme Court.

9.51 a.m.: Mr Olanipekun wonders how the Supreme Court will compartmentalise Atiku’s fresh evidence. “This is an application in wonderland. It has no merit. We urge the court to dismiss.

“The courts are bound by the law, and the law is to be interpreted as it is,” he says.

10:a.m.: Akin Olujinmi addressesbthe Supreme Court.

“This application lacks merit, it is misconceived and we urge the court to dismiss it,” the APC lawyer says.

Mr Olujinmi adopts Mr Olanipekun’s arguments.

“You cannot smuggle in a document into the Supreme Court without first tendering same at the trial court,” the lawyer added.

10:04 a.m: Justice Okoro asks, “what do we do with the fresh evidence?”

Mr Olujinmi says the burden is on Atiku to prove why the fresh evidence should be admitted by the Supreme Court.

10:05 a.m: Mr Uche responds to Tinubu’s lawyers regarding the CSU proceedings.

10.06 a.m.: Mr Uche says the CSU depositions can be used in the Nigerian court.

10:11 a.m.: Mr Olanipekun informs the court of a motion his team filed on 7 October praying for the striking out of some of the appellants’ grounds of appeal.

10:12: a.m.: Chris Uche says, in opposition, that his team filed a counter-affidavit on 18 October. He says the counter-affidavit is accompanied by a written address.

“We urge the court to dismiss Mr Tinubu’s motion,” he adds.

10:14 a.m.: Supreme Court begins hearing of substantive appeal in Atiku’s case against Mr Tinubu.

Mr Uche adopts his court filings in the substantive appeal.

He urges the court to allow the appeal, and set aside the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court.

He says germane constitutional issues are involved in the appeal, therefore, the Supreme Court should critically examine the appeal.

10:17 a.m: INEC lawyer, Mr Mahmoud addresses the court.

He prays the court to dismiss the appeal as it lacks merit.

Mr Olanipekun jokingly points out the contradictions in Atiku’s prayers, where he prayed the court to disqualify Mr Tinubu as a candidate in the election, and in another breath, called for a rerun to be conducted between him and Mr Tinubu.

Courtroom erupted into laughter.

10:24 a.m.: Court rises for a five-minute recess.

10:52 a.m.: Mr Olanipekun addresses the court. He urges it to strike out APM’s grounds of appeal.

10:53 a.m.: APM lawyer said he filed a counter-affidavit to Mr Olanipekun’s motion seeking to strike out the appeal.

He prays the court to allow the appeal.

“What will you gain if you win this appeal,” Justice Okoro asks APM lawyer.

11:00 a.m: APM lawyer tries to justify the merit in his client’s case.

But he now moves to withdraw the appeal.

The APM lawyer says, “I apply to withdraw this appeal.”

INEC lawyer is not opposed to the withdrawal of the appeal.

APC’s and Tinubu’s lawyers also have no objection

Premium Times

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Wike: APC Chieftain Calls For Gumi’s Arrest For Making Inflammatory Comment

By
James Orji
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A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Yekini Nabena, has called for the arrest of Sheik Ahmed Gumi for attacking Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Nyesom Wike.
Gumi had in his reaction to the meeting Wike had with Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Freeman, alleged that the duo met over plan to bring Israeli operatives to the country to kill Muslims.
The Islamic cleric had demanded from President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the immediate removal of Wike as FCT minister.
The controversial cleric also stated that Muslims have not really benefitted from the Tinubu’s administration despite supporting the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket in the last presidential election.
Political analysts insist that Gumi was only trying to stir up anger among Muslims in the country against the federal government amidst the ongoing Israeli- Hamas War.
Reacting,  Nabena said the cleric’s comment is capable of causing disunity in the country.
Gumi should be arrested immediately for trying to cause religious unrest in the country, and for threatening the former Rivers state governor, adding that Niger Delta people will hold him accountable if anything happened to the minister.
The former APC Deputy Spokesman stated in Abuja on Sunday, calling on other Nigerians to condemn Gumi over his “sense of entitlement” that only northerners are qualified to be FCT Minister.
He said “religious and ethnic bigots like Gumi and others” should explain why the FCT ministry and other juicy positions should be reserved for Muslims and northerners.
Describing the cleric as “satanic” the APC chieftain said northern Muslims are in charge of juicy government agencies such as NIMASA, NPA, NNPC, amongst others.
According to him, “How can you justify the rationale behind some Northerners heading some positions that are naturally meant for the people of Niger Delta and the South? Up till date a Northerner is still the GMD of NNPCL.
“If religious and ethnic bigots like Gumi and others are saying a Southern Christian, especially from the oil rich Niger Delta, can not hold the positions of FCT Ministry and the Senate President, we demand explanations on what qualifies a North Muslim in the leadership of agencies like NIMASA, NNPCL, NPDC, NLNG, NPA, and so on.
“I will call on the presidency to deliberately caution Sheik Gumi and his co-travellers against statement that is capable of causing disunity and encourage sense of entitlement.
“I will also call on the security agencies to take Gumi’s reckless but deliberate statement serious. Sheik Gumi should be arrested, questioned and prosecuted.
“Let it also be on record that we the Niger Delta sons and daughters will hold Sheik Gumi responsible if any evil befall Nyesom Wike throughout his days in office as FCT Minister.”
Minister Wike, in his reaction to Gumi’s allegation on Sunday, stated that the meeting he had with the Israeli envoy was meant to promote agriculture in the FCT.

Kogi: You Lied, Bello Counters Commissioner Over Alleged Assassination Attempt

By
James Orji
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Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State
Yahaya Bello
Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello has refuted claims that some gun men tried to kill him on Sunday on his way to Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The state commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo had in a statement made available to journalists, yesterday stated that his principal was almost killed by some unknown “soldiers.”
According to Fanwo, it was the governor’s security guards who saved the day by repelling the alleged assassins.
“The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the general public that there was an assassination attempt on the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on his way to an official engagement from Lokokja,” the commissioner said.
However, Governor Bello has debunked the claim. You lied about the alleged plan by some hoodlums to kill me, the governor said.
In his reaction the governor while addressing a press conference in Abuja, said his security only had an encounter with another security agency on his journey to the nation’s capital.
He said “there was no assassination attempt on me, Yahaya Bello, the executive governor of Kogi State,” adding that his men only had a brush with another sister agency which was immediately resolved.
Part of the governor’s statement: “This afternoon, at about 14:00 hours, I took off from Lokoja to Abuja, and the journey was smooth. Just about 16:00 hours, my convoy, especially the security, had an encounter with another sister agency, and there was a fracas.
“Immediately, we waded in, and it was resolved.
“From there, we had a smooth journey down to Abuja, and ever since I came, I’ve been engaging in all the activities that brought me to Abuja, and it’s been very smooth.
“Thereafter, I began to hear on social media about assassination attempt. I want to state categorically very clearly, dear Nigerians, there was no assassination attempt on me, Yahaya Bello, the executive governor of Kogi State, by the military or by anybody.
“Between Kogi state and FCT, it is a secure route, thanks be to God Almighty and members of the military, the Nigerian police, the DSS, the navy, the civil defence, the vigilantes, the professional hunters, and the citizens of our dear state.”
The state government had on two different occasions, claimed that attempts were made to kill the state’s helmsman ahead the November 11 Governorship election.

“Why I Sponsored Imo Pilgrims To Holy Lands – Uzodinma”, Governor Is Godsent Say Beneficiaries

By
The Source
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0

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has said he did not have any political intention in sponsoring the 1200 Imo Christian and Muslim pilgrims who visited Jerusalem, Jordan, Mecca and Medina this year on Pilgrimage, noting that he was rather interested in the spiritual upliftment of the beneficiaries with its attendant moral benefits and their relationship with God.

The Governor spoke on Sunday at the Eze Imo Palace in Mbari, Owerri in his remarks during the Interdenominational thanksgiving service organised by the pilgrims to appreciate him for the opportunity given to them to visit the Holy lands at no cost to them.

The Governor had paid for the airlift, feeding, accommodation and other living expenses of 1000 Christian pilgrims to Jordan and Jerusalem as well as of 200 Muslims who went to Mecca and Medina from Imo State.

The thanksgiving service turned out to be a moment of emotional outpour as Governor Uzodimma was treated with tales of how, through the exercise and his magnanimity, many beneficiaries, both Christian and Muslim pilgrims, had the opportunity of either traveling by air for the first time in their lives as well as traveling outside the shores of Nigeria, also for the first time.

The Christian and Muslim pilgrims, most of who clamoured to see the sponsor, were therefore excited to behold Governor Uzodimma in their midst on Sunday and also happy over the opportunity to lavish prayers on him as his governorship election draws closer.

Though they reminded the Governor that they prayed for him, his family, his government, Imo State, among others at the Holy lands, the pilgrims also told him that the  pay back time which is November 11 has come.

They were therefore happy to enter into a prayer of agreement after which they endorsed the Governor for re-election and resolved to vote massively for him.

The Interdenominational thanksgiving service was organised by the Imo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare.

Appreciating their prayers, the Governor told the congregation that he was not only humbled by their experiences, but that it gives him satisfaction having a better relationship with his creator. He urged them to do the same.

He said that pilgrimage means a lot to the Christian and Muslim faiths, and appealed to Imo people to “first live together as a people irrespective of religious differences because all of us are of one God.”

He recalled that before the visit to the Holy land a lot of killings and violence were going on in the State, noting that he was convinced that after the visit, “the State is now far better and peace has returned to the State.”

He enjoined the pilgrims to pray that next year there will be opportunity for another set of contingents to visit the Holy lands also.

The Governor reiterated that his administration’s sponsorship of Imo citizens to pilgrimage is not political, “rather it is to strengthen our relationship with God.”

He used the opportunity to pray for a free and fair governorship election in the State and urged the pilgrims to freely vote their consciences in the coming election even though they had all resolved to cast their ballot for him.

He thanked the organisers for the honour done him with the award and decorations and described them as an “encouragement to do more.”

In their various speeches earlier, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku thanked the Governor for his Godly dispositions that made it possible for him to sponsor the number of people from the State to the Holy lands.

Prof Njoku said that the Governor has shown the world that “all about Imo State is in the hands of God.”

The Chairman Imo State Pilgrim Welfare Board, Rev Fr. Dr. Gilbert Alaribe thanked the Governor and God Almighty for a seamless exercise and journey mercies “because it was a difficult and complex programme.”

Alaribe who recalled that “never in the history of Imo State had any administration sponsored such a number of pilgrims to the Holy land,” appreciated all that made it possible.

The Chairman, Imo State Muslim Council, Baba Sule expressed sincere gratitude to the Governor for the gesture, saying that it is the first time the Government of Imo State sponsored Muslims to the Holy land.

Sule, the Sarikin Hausawa Imo State prayed God to continue to “put Governor on the front seat and always put him above all his enemies.”

He described the Governor as “excellent” and that he will “shine again”.

“The large population of Muslim Umar will vote for the Governor come November 11 this year,” he said.

Other speakers included the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka; the Chairman of APC Imo State, Dr Macdonald Ebere and HRH Eze Mathew Nwokoma.

They all thanked the Governor for his magnanimity and prayed God to continue to preserve and grant him success in his future endeavours.

Both Bishop Henry Mbamaonyeukwu and Bishop Akanabu, representing the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, CCN, ECWA, Anglican Church, said the Governor has sown bountifully hence he will reap bountifully.

They offered other prayers of grace and success for the Governor in the coming election and beyond.

Most Rev. (Dr.) Moses Chikwe, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, Rt  Hon Jerry Alagboso, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, APC Chieftain, Chief Tony Chukwu, Eze Imo, HRM, EC Okeke and his wife, among other dignitaries graced the occasion.

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