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Last Minute Mobilization As Akeredolu, Abayomi Appeal For Massive Turn Out, Vote Tinubu

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo and Ekiti states governments have appealed to the people to come out massively despite current Challenges and vote for Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) during Saturday’s election.

Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ondo and Biodun Abayomi, Ekiti addressed tve people in a state wide broadcast Thursday.

The Governors told the people that they are aware of the hardship being faced in the wake of currency swap and fuel scarcity.

Akeredolu stated that “As your Governor, my duty to you at this time of great confusion and frustration, is therefore to provide you with a clear vision of the path of redemption and hope.

“It is to charge you all to shake off the artificial frustration and the temporary barriers on your way to choose a President who represents hope and assured brighter days ahead.

“My message to you is that despite all the well-planned intrigues to deny you of your democratic rights and the future and prosperity of your offsprings, which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represents, I urge you to troop out massively and vote for the APC on Saturday.

“This is the time to separate the past from the future. For us in Ondo State, this is our time to vote a President who identifies with our challenges and who would help us to actualize our on-going plan for the establishment of Ondo Deep Sea Port and Massive Industrial Revolution, tackle youth unemployment, achieve our dream of State Police to solve our insecurity problem and ensure human capacity development. It is time to set a new flag and make Nigeria great.”

The Governor also urged the people to eschew provocation and violence before, during and after the election.

“Maintain peace and civility. Go out and vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other candidates of APC into the Senate and House of Representatives. You are also enjoined to vote for APC Candidates at that election.”

Video, Memo,  Expose Wike’s Order On Whom To Vote For; Puts A Lie On His Earlier Claim; Poaches Obedients

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The Source
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Rivers Youths

By Charles lgbo

A trending Video and a memo which surfaced on Whatsaap platforms on Wednesday, has finally exposed who Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is supporting for the Presidential Election.

In the video the leaders of the Party in a Ward, were seen and heard, passing instructions from Wike to his foot soldiers on whom to vote for.

And in the Internal Memo by the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, signed on his behalf by his Chief of Staff, Honourable Ipalibo Yellowe, the people were instructed to vote the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu  on Saturday, or face severe consequences. “Kindly note that non-compliance and sabotage will be met with severe consequences.”

The Election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

In the past few weeks, speculations have been rife that Wike, who swore to work against the Presidential Candidate of  his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, had declared support for  Tinubu.

Wike had promised in December 2022, to publicly name his preferred candidate and campaign vigorously with him. But apparently, his courage failed him. Having spoken more than he should have, he denied he ever said he was going to make public the name of his preferred candidate, even though the video of where he said that went viral at the time.

However, his utterances and actions in the past couple of weeks confirm the claim in the streets that he had given an order to his supporters to vote Tinubu.

He gave Tinubu the venue for his Campaign Rally free of charge. He received him at Government House when he went to Porthacourt for the Presidential Campaign Rally,  and heaped praises on him. He praised APC Governors who influenced the zoning of the Presidential seat to the South.

But the Governor seems, also, worried about his political future after May 29, 2023, when he would leave office, especially, if his preferred Candidate does not win. A couple of weeks ago, he ran to a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the PDP from suspending and expelling him over his brazen anti-party activities when he suspected the Party could do so.

Last week,  at a Campaign Rally, he begged Rivers People to save his Political future by not voting for those who would jail or kill him.

On Wednesday, February 22, he took another step by denying his support for Tinubu. In a Radio interview, his Chief of Staff, Chukwumaeze Woke, denied his Principal is supporting Tinubu. He said Wike passed no instruction on anybody to vote for Tinubu  on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

However, the video which surfaced same Wednesday has exposed Woke’s lies.

In the video, shot during a meeting at Ward 7, allegedly, Obio/Akpor, Wike’s  supporters, gathered gathered Youths and foot soldiers, and specifically instructed them to vote Tinubu.

Those who addressed the gathered youths and foot soldiers told them it was the Governor who instructed them to pass on the instruction to them.

One of those who responded  said he was Obedient before, but has been instructed now to vote  Tinubu. He promised they would deliver.

He said: “PDP, Power to the people. My Leaders, you have said it all. Just like you said, before, I was strongly Obedient, but for this. Many of us might not be able to reach Wike. But we can reach you. And by reaching you, we have reached Wike. And you have not disappointed us before. You have told us this is where the train is moving. On behalf of the Youth leaders that are here, we support the motion that we will all deliver Tinubu for 2023.”

The Internal Memo by the Chairman of Degema LGA reads:

DEGEMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL

Internal Memo

“All appointees of Degema Local Government Council are by this notice, directed to canvass support and vote massively for the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the presidential category, coming up this Saturday, February, 25, 2023, whereas other National Assembly candidates (Senatorial and House of Representatives) in the same election remain PDP.

“You are to collaborate with other party leaders and stakeholders in your various wards to implement this directive.

“Kindly note that noncompliance and sabotage will be met with severe consequences.

“Signed:
Hon. Ipalibo Yellowe
Chief of Staff”

Wike’s support for Tinubu, one of his closest political allies told this magazine, is to save his head, as he is said to believe that Tinubu would win the Presidential poll.

Enugu: Gunmen Kill Oyibo, LP Senatorial Candidate, Five Others, Set Bodies Ablaze; He Was Chimaroke Nnamani’s Opponent

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The Source
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Oyibo Chukwu

By Charles Igbo

Oyibo Chukwu, the Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District, has been shot and killed by gunmen.

Oyibo, a Lawyer, was murdered on Wednesday in the Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local  Government Area of the State while he was heading  home after the final Campaign outing against his contest for the Senate seat on Saturday. He was an opponent of the Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP, expelled Candidate, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani.

Shot with him were five other people who were in the vehicle with him. They were  shot dead, and their bodies set ablaze while still inside the vehicle. The  identities of the five persons were yet to be disclosed at the time of filing this report.

However, Chijioke Edoga, LP’s Governorship Candidate in the State, has confirmed the incident. He said: “It is true that our Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District for Saturday’s election has been killed.

They Shot him and five others and set them ablaze.

“Our Party members are being targeted for assassination by political parties that felt threatened by the rise of the Labour Party in the State, and are afraid they may lose Saturday’s election.”

Apparently, the attack happened at a bad spot. A couple of weeks ago, Uche Nnaji, the Governorship Candidate of the  All Progressives Party, APC, was also attacked same spot.

Oyibo was scheduled to contest for the Enugu East Senatorial District on Saturday February 25. Sadly, he was gruesomely murdered three days to the contest.

For the records, Simon Ekpa, the Finland-based Nigerian/Finland citizen, leader of a break away faction of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPoB, had ordered a sit-at-home order in the South-east, beginning from February 22, 2023. He ordered that there would be no elections in the Zone.

Ikpeazu: Orji Kalu Lied; I Am Not Supporting Tinubu, And Will Never Support Him

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The Source
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Ikpeazu and Orji Uzor Kalu

By Charles Igbo

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has put a lie to the claims by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, that he, Ikpeazu, is working for, and supporting the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu.

Kalu made the claim  Monday on a Channels Television Program.

Ikpeazu is one of the five Peoples Democratic Party Governors (the now irrelevant G5) who are at loggerheads with the leadership of the Party at the National level and its Presidential Candidate Atiku  Abubakar. Led by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the Governors- Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, Seyi Makinde, Oyo – vowed not to participate in any National PDP activities, nor support or vote for Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Their anger started when Wike lost the Presidential ticket to Atiku and also lost the Vice Presidential slot to the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. They blamed Wike’s losses on National Party Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. As a condition to participate  in the Presidential Campaign, they demanded that Ayu steps down as National Chairman of the Party in favour of a Southerner for equity. They pointed out that both the National Chairman and the Presidential Candidate, should not come from same zone.

Their request was ignored by the Party. And they went all out, Wike especially, to demarket  Atiku, Ayu and the Party. Wike had announced that they would name their preferred Presidential Candidate. It did not happen. They could not agree on that. Then, Wike in December, publicly, said he would announce his preferred candidate in January. Three days to the Election he has not. Instead, from behind, he shockingly went back to his vomit, and began to back APC’s Tinubu.

On Monday, Orji Kalu confirmed what has been public in the past weeks. He confirmed during his interview on Channels Television that Wike is working for Tinubu. He then added his own State Governor, Dr Ikpeazu, as also working for Tinubu.

Kalu: “Tinubu is well liked by the North, and is from the South-west, and is going to get a sizeable vote in Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra and Enugu. And, he is going to have the support of Governor Wike of Rivers State. So, we’re on track.”

On Ikpeazu’s support for Tinubu, Kalu said:

“My Governor here, Okezie Ikpeazu, will also support Tinubu.”

However, Ikpeazu has dismissed Orji Kalu’s claim as a lie.

Speaking in Aba where he went to inspect the ongoing work at Faulks Road, Ikpeazu, apparently distancing himself from Wike’s support for Tinubu said: “No member of G5 can railroad another member into supporting anyone against his will as suggested by Senator Kalu.”

Chief John Kalu, Director of Strategic Engagement, Abia State PDP Campaign Council, put it more explicitly. He dismissed Senator Kalu’s claim as mere politics.

He said that PDP, as a formidable Party, would deliver all its Candidates.

His words: “For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ikpeazu has not endorsesed Tinubu, and will not endorse him because he is a leader, and is guided by the feelings of his people.

“PDP remains formidable, and all our candidates in the forthcoming elections hold very strong prospects of winning in Abia.” That, if he is to be believed, includes Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

IGP Announces Restriction Of Movement, Bans State-Owned Security Formations From Election Duties

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Usman Alkali Baba

By Ayodele Oni

Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has ordered restrictions of movement, as part of measures to ensure adequate security for Saturday election.

He also urged  Nigerians to be law abiding assuring  of unhindered exercise of electoral franchise.

IGP statement, signed by  the force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi reads ” Consequent to the first part of the 2023 General Elections – the Presidential and National Assembly Elections – scheduled to hold on Saturday 25th February 2023 across all States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, has ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on election day.

“This is with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC Officials, Electoral Observers, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc.

“The order which is part of measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of elections, is aimed at ensuring public order management, the safety of electorates, as well as assisting the security agencies in effective policing, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.

“Similarly, the IGP sternly warns all security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election as anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned.

“He emphasizes that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres.

“Also, the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses is still in force, and violators would be sanctioned appropriately.

“All State-established and owned security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.

“While empathizing with well-meaning citizens on the inconveniences the restriction may cause, the IGP urges all active electorates to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.

“He however warns that the Force will deal decisively with any individual(s) or group(s) that might want to test our common resolve and might to ensure a peaceful election.

“The IGP, therefore, enjoins all citizens to shun vote buying, vote selling, hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, snatching of ballot boxes, and other criminal act(s) as the Force and other security agencies will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all violators of extant laws, most especially the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), are brought to book.

“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, urges all members of the public to contact the Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Election Monitoring and Operations Room domiciled at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, via the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ available on Android and ios, or via the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line on 08031230631 to report suspicious persons, activities or request security response.

“Similarly, other joint operations/election situation room numbers will be released by all State Police Commands respectively, for emergency contact.”

Obi, LP Candidates Get Workers Nod As NLC Rally Support

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Peter Obi in Lagos

By Ayodele Oni

Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi ambition has received a boost as the organized labour directed workers to vote enmasse for him.

This is coming barely 72 hours to the 2023 presidential and national assembly election, slated for Saturday.

Comrade Chris Uyot, National Secretary of NLC’s National Political Commission, in a statement in Abuja Wednesday, stated that the trade union asked all workers and members of affiliate unions to mobilize and vote for Obi and other candidates of LP.

The endorsement, according to political watchers, is coming for the first time since the formation of Labour Party.

The letter reads, “We wish to refer to the resolution of the inaugural meeting of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), directing workers and indeed all Nigerians to come out en mass to perform their civic duties by voting in the forthcoming elections, and taking decisive steps to safeguard their votes.

“The NLC had also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the electoral processes are not only transparent and fair, but reflect the wishes of the Nigerian people.

“This is a clarion call to all workers and working people that as we approach the final push towards the forthcoming presidential election come February 25, 2023, we should ensure massive turnout of votes for the success of the Labour Party in line with an earlier resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC).

“Towards this end, all Labour Political Committee members in the states are to intensify their work in mobilizing workers and the Nigerian people both at the local, ward and polling units to vote for the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and all candidates of the Labour Party contesting the elections.

“The political committees are also enjoined to work with our allies in civil society organisations and students to take all necessary steps to safeguard the people’s votes by ensuring that the electoral process is transparent, free and fair.

“To accomplish these significant tasks to save our democracy, all affiliate unions and State Councils of Congress are to give maximum cooperation and support to the political committees to strengthen their work at the state, local government, wards and polling unit levels by ensuring that they provide at least 10 ward coordinators and canvassers to not only mobilize but defend the peoples votes.

“History beckons. This election promises to be the most decisive in our country. It offers an opportunity to transform our political, social, and economic policy direction to be peoples-oriented as espoused in the Workers Charter of Demands.”

ACAMB Debunks Claim  Banks Shutting Down Mobile Banking Services For Election

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Rasheed Bolarinwa

By Akinwale Kasali

The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), the umbrella body of Corporate and Marketing Communications Professionals working in Nigeria’s banking sector, has debunked the report that has gone viral that Banks are shutting down their Internet Services from Thursday evening of February 23rd till Monday, February 27th as fake.

In a statement by the Group through its President, Rasheed Bolarinwa, it  said that its attention has been drawn to the trending social media message purporting that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was shutting down banking services for five days from Thursday, 23rd to Monday 27th February 2023 because of the general elections holding in Nigeria over the next two weekends.

It stated that ACAMB hereby wishes to debunk the fake news in its entirety and wishes to assure Nigerians and the banking public that there is no iota of truth in the viral message that is being circulated.

It added that up until this moment, no Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) or other institutions providing financial services have received any directive or communication from the CBN to close the doors of their physical banking halls or shut their digital platforms and online banking channels against their customers because of elections.

ACAMB further assured customers that their respective banks have put in place measures to ensure that depositors can as usual, access money in their accounts during this period.

“Also, customers who wish to carry out transfers or use electronic banking services will have unhindered access to these services before, during, and after the elections.

“ACAMB urges Nigerians not to panic and to also avoid uncontrolled spending as a result of the fake news about the alleged plan to shut down bank branches and all digital banking channels.  Members of the public should discountenance the trending message maliciously concocted by its faceless authors to cause disaffection among the citizenry and the DMBs.

“ACAMB calls on Nigerians to be peaceful and orderly during the elections and wishes the nation successful conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.”

2023: Nigeria’s Security Council Says No Change In Election Dates

By
The Source
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Muhammadu Buhari and Mammud Yakubu

By Akinwale Kasali

Speculations that  Saturday’s Presidential Election might not hold, has been rubbished by the Nation’s Security Council. Elections will hold as scheduled, the Council has said.

The Security Council said that it was satisfied with the state of  security in the Country, therefore,  “no going back” on the February 25 and March 11 election dates.

Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation, disclosed that  the Council’s maiden meeting for 2023, chaired by  President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, was meant to allay simmering concerns that the Federal Government may postpone the elections amidst the new naira crisis.

With the crisis ensuing from the Central Bank’s new Naira policy coupled with the fuel scarcity in most parts of the country, some Governors and public office holders alleged deliberate plans by the Federal Government to shift the election dates, a claim that the Presidency repeatedly denied.

Malami, said the Federal government had made enough preparations ahead of Saturday’s elections.

He said the members expressed satisfaction with the current security situation and resolved that the elections must be held as planned.

According to Malami, Council members were briefed by the Chief of Defence Staff, the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs, and heads of other security agencies about their readiness to provide the necessary security cover for the election.

He noted that the Security Council meeting was a follow-up to earlier meetings by the Federal Executive Council and the Council of States to ascertain the readiness of the electoral watchdog, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force for the general election.

“At the National Security Council meeting, briefings were made by security agencies generally and service chiefs.

“National Security Adviser made submission; Chief of Defence Staff made one; Chief of Army Staff made submission; Chief of Naval Staff made submission, Chief of Air Staff did; Inspector-General of Police, who incidentally is equally addressing you, made submission; Director-General, State Security Service did; and indeed DG NIA and CDI all made submissions.

“The summary and conclusion of all submissions was to the effect that the system is wholeheartedly ready for the conduct of the election and arising there from, the position of the government, the position of the President is to the effect that the election is holding on February, 25 2023 and Mr. President and the National Security Council are happy with the preparations on the ground and wholehearted arrangements are put in place in that direction.”

Malami added that there was no going back on the planned elections.

“So we have been mandated, arising from the conclusions of the Security Council meetings to now brief you accordingly, but the summary of it, the conclusion of it, the resolution of the Council, is to the effect that the elections are holding and there is no going back about it,” Malami said.

2023: Orji Kalu Says Igbo Not Ready For Presidency

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Orji Uzor Kalu, Chief Whip of the Senate has disclosed that Nigerians are not ready to have a President of Igbo extraction stressing that the Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi stand no chance of winning the February 25th, 2023, Presidential Election.

The former Abia State Governor said this  when he spoke on the 2023 general elections during a Channels Television programme, ‘The Verdict’ on Wednesday.

Kalu said Saturday’s Presidential election would not be the best outing for the Igbo despite having one of their sons among the top contenders.

Dismissing the chances of Obi emerging victorious in the polls, Kalu said “I’m well-experienced; I ran for President in 2007 and I’m not sure Nigerians are ready for a President of Igbo extraction.

“I’m not sure because I have tried to nose around that. We have five other regions to come up with and I am not sure.

“The people of the South-East are the best professionals but not the best politicians.

“We do politics with emotions and I want the Igbo to stop doing politics with emotions; I want the Igbo to do practical politics,” he added.

The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District disclosed that the People Democratic Party, PDP, aggrieved governors popularly known as G-5, are silently working for the victory of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He is optimistic that the APC Candidate will have a landslide victory at the polls.

Ahead Saturday’s Presidential Poll: Ondo CAN States Stance

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday held a meeting with the leadership of the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),  following rumours that the Christian body is backing an unnamed Presidential Candidate, which it refuted.

Members of the Association in the State led by the Chairman, Rev. Fr. Anselm Olorunfemi Ologunwawho spoke clarified that the body remains apolitical.

The Christian body said its association is a neutral and non-partisan body which allows individual Church members to join the political parties of their choice.

“As the clock ticks towards the Presidential and National Assembly elections holding this Saturday, it is pertinent for us as CAN to interact with you and put the records straight against the backdrop of some rumours flying around that CAN has endorsed a particular presidential candidate for the election.

“Dear Mr. Governor, of a truth and in all sincerity, the Christian Association of Nigeria has not and will not endorse any candidate for the election.

“Those peddling such rumours are mischief makers who wish to tarnish the reputation of the association. We at CAN, have not and will not adopt any candidate for elections for the following reasons.

“First, CAN as an umbrella body for Christians in Nigeria is a neutral, apolitical and non-partisan body which allows individual church members to join the political parties of their choice.

“Since we have members belonging to different parties, it is thus illogical to adopt a candidate and direct our members to do so.

“It may interest you our dear Governor to note that even at the national level, CAN did not adopt any candidate let alone the state chapters. Therefore, Ondo CAN stands by the national leadership of CAN and remains neutral.

“Second, your government has maintained a robust and symbiotic relationship with CAN and we cannot afford to sacrifice that on the altar of politics.

“Therefore, it is only plausible for us to maintain neutrality at elections while we continue to support your government and its laudable programmes geared towards improving the lives of the citizens.

“In reality, Ondo State CAN is fully in support of Mr. Governor’s stance and bold steps on national issues, including fiscal federalism, devolution of powers, rotational presidency among others.

“We note that this your stance is hinged on your firm belief in equality, Justice, and fairness as the basis for our continued existence as a nation call Nigeria. Thus, your  administration and our association remain partners in progress.”

Responding, Governor Akeredolu thanked the Christian leaders for their prayers and supports for his administration.

The Governor noted that the CAN leadership has done the right thing by staying neutral in election matters, adding that the Church is not meant to play politics but pray for the people and the country.

Governor Akeredolu, through the CAN members, expressed his appreciation to Christian bodies in the State for their prayers and good wishes at all times. He urged the CAN members to convey his appreciation to all Churches in the State.

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