Home Blog Page 2068

Breaking: Not True, VP Osinbajo Not In A Vehicle Accident

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0

By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is safe. Neither he nor his convoy, was involved in any vehicle accident.

Initial reports by Peoples Gazette said Vice President was  involved in a Vehicle accident  along the Abuja Airport Road Monday morning and that efforts were being made to pull him out.

But the VP’s Spokesman, Laolu Akande, has debunked the story.

In a post, Akande said: “On his way to the Airport this morning, VP came across a road traffic accident, stopped to lend assistance, & ensured victim was taken to hospital with VP’s convoy ambulance. He then proceeded on his trip and is now in Ondo State heading to site of yesterday’s attack .”

Osinbajo was on his way to Ondo State to condole with the Government and people over the gruesome terrorist attack on  Worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo on Sunday, June 5, 2022 which claimed over 30 lives, including children.

For the records, Vice President Osinbajo is one of the Presidential aspirants under the All Progressives Congress, APC. The Primaries to pick the Party’s candidate began Monday, June 6.

Breaking: Ondo: Catholic Bishop Calls On Buhari To Resign After Terrorists Killed 40 Worshippers

By
James Orji
-
0

By James Orji

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo, Right Rev Jude Arogundade has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign in the face of the insecurity pervading the country.

The Buhari administration, the catholic leader said has failed to secure the country and must be held responsible for the spate of killings across the country.

President Buhari has however condemned the massacre, saying that “no matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari has directed security agencies and emergency workers to swing into action immediately, to fish out the criminals.

Arogundade spoke after terrorists attacked St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in Owo LGA of Ondo State, killing over 40 worshippers and injuring many on Sunday.

TheSource (magazine) learnt  that the church, which is located behind the Olowo of Owo Palace, in the hometown of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, came under attack as it was rounding off its morning service.

The terrorists who stormed the church in their numbers, opened fire on worshippers indiscriminately.

“We were about to round off service. I had even asked people to start leaving, that was how we started hearing gunshots from different angles.

“We hid inside the church but some people had left when the attack happened. We locked ourselves in the church for 20 minutes,” said Rev Father Andrew Abayomi, one of the priests who survived the attack.

It was gathered that the terrorists, who are now on the run used dynamite to gain access to the church before shooting at worshippers at close range.

Speaking on the issue on the African Independent Television, AIT on Monday, Arogundade said the government has failed to apprehend terrorists unleashing mayhem on Nigerians, calling on President Buhari to resign immediately after failing to handle the situation.

He said Nigerians are tired of the incessant killing while appealing to the international community to come to the aid of the country.

According to him, “Nigeria’s situation is unbelievable. This is what nobody believed could ever happen in the country. Those people need to be fished out. This is a serious situation.

“The government should come out to tell us what is going on, or else we will begin to take laws into our hands. some of those killed yesterday were medical doctors; what kind of country is this. They said they are rehabilitating terrorists…..

“I will do everything on my part to call the whole attention to this act. Somebody must be held accountable.”

Shedding light on victims of the bombing, the bishop said the church has no accurate number of worshippers that were killed by the terrorists and those who received bullet wounds and are now being treated in various hospitals across the state.

“So many people have bullet wounds; they are in hundreds. Surgeries are going on, on the wounded we cannot even count the number of those wounded.

He explained that over 1200 worshippers were in the church as at the time of the attack.

 

Oyo 2023: Makinde In Search For A Running Mate

By
James Orji
-
0
Oyo Deputy Gov Rauf-Olaniyan

By James Orji

Governor Seyi Makinde will contest the 2023 governorship election with a new running mate. His current deputy, Rauf Olaniyan has dumped the ruling party in the state, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Anytime from now, the governor is expected to announce a running mate after winning the PDP governorship ticket for re-election two weeks ago.

The defection of the Deputy Governor, close watchers of party say has finally put an end to the silent power struggle between Governor Makinde and his estranged deputy.

Though the two former political allies had long denied the existence of any feud between them, but sources in government House Agodi, Ibadan insist that the duo parted ways as soon as Governor Makinde Swept to power in 2019, after defeating Adebayo Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN and All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate.

The frosty relationship first became a public item two years ago, after the Deputy Governor complained to a Reconciliation committee set up by the PDP to reconcile aggrieved members in the party that Governor Makinde has sidelined him in the affairs of the state. The committee was led by Dr Saka Balogun.

Speaking to journalists, on Sunday, Olaniyan said he had no reason to remain in the party following the decision of the governor to make him look like a stranger in running the affairs of the state. He, however, said he still remain in his position as the number two citizen of the state, having been jointly elected with the governor on a joint ticket.

He explained that he will continue to discharge his duty as Deputy Governor, and will continue to cooperate with Governor Makinde in moving the state forward.

Olaniyan said, “This was a joint ticket. I was promised many things. Alhamdulilah for everything. It is not about money. If it was about it, I wouldn’t have attempted to join politics. I am not uncomfortable but by being in position of power, you have the right to assist many people.

“My people have been calling. Those from Ibarapa called yesterday. The Okeogun are meeting in Iseyin as we speak. The people are what make me. They can’t say something and I say otherwise.

“Whatever the governor expects from me, I will do. I have been sidelined in politics. So there is no problem with us. I am still loyal to him except they want to misinterpret the meaning of loyalty.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that Olaniyan took a pre-emptive action against the governor, who many say, was already planning to choose a new running mate ahead next year’s election.

“The frosty relationship has been on for a long time. The two of them have been trying to manage the situation away from the glaring eyes of the public, so that the government will not run into a hitch. But the Deputy Governor seemed to have made things easier for the governors on the issue of choosing a running mate for next year’s election.

“We are sure the governor will be looking at Oke Ogun where the current Deputy Governor hails from to chose a replacement,” a PDP source told The Source Magazine on Monday.

 

Jonathan Condemns Ondo Church Killings

By
The Source
-
0
Former President Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has condemned the deadly Sunday attack on a Church in Ondo State by unknown assailants which claimed the lives of scores of worshippers.

Jonathan charged the security agents to be swift in their efforts to apprehend the criminals and make them pay for their actions.

Dr. Jonathan who stated this in a condolence message to the Government and people of Ondo State said: “I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, the entire congregation of Saint Francis Catholic Church, in Owo as well as the Government and people of Ondo State.”

He denounced the “brutal killing in cold blood of innocent worshippers by mindless outlaws, out to cause havoc and mayhem in the society.”

The former President further decried the nefarious activities of murderous criminals in the country and urged security agencies to go after them, adding that all efforts should be made to apprehend and bring them to justice.

Owo Massacre Despicable, Assault On Humanity And Desecration Of The Church Of God – Anyim

By
The Source
-
0
Anyim Pius Anyim

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim has condemned, in the strongest term possible, the massacre of Christians by gunmen at the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State on Sunday.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and signed by his Media Adviser,  Sam Nwaobasi,  Anyim said the killing of the worshippers during Sunday service was despicable, callous, as well as an assault on humanity and desecration of the Church of God.

He wondered why the evil men could enter into the sacred House of God to kill innocent and defenceless worshippers who had gone to commune with their Creator.

The former PDP presidential aspirant said he condemned the heinous murder “in the strongest term possible as despicable, barbaric, callous, evil and as an assault on humanity.”

“I cannot understand why these evil men would carry out this dastardly act against defenceless citizens who had gone to the Holy Temple of the Lord Almighty to commune with their creator.

“I call on the Ondo State Government and all the Security Agencies to go after these criminals, fish them out and make them face the law for the mindless murder of innocent citizens”, Anyim, former secretary to the Government of the Federation charged.

Anyim prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed. He equally condoled with relations of the deceased.

Uzodimma Flays Attack On Worshipers In Ondo; Says It’s Evil

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has condemned, in strong terms, the Sunday  invasion of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State by  assailants who willfully attacked the worshippers, killing many of them and leaving others wounded.

In a statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said it was disheartening that the ugly incident took place in the House of God on Pentecost Sunday, a day Christians cherish so much on account of the visitation of the Holy Spirit on Christians.

Governor Uzodimma commiserated the leadership of the Catholic Church in Owo, the Government and people of Ondo State as well as the families of the victims ( both dead and wounded), and urged all to work in partnership to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act so that they will face justice.

The Governor said that terrorism and banditry have become a big threat to  lives and property of the citizenry and suggested that concerted efforts be made through collaboration of well meaning Nigerians to stamp out the evil.

While calling on the security agencies to go after the assailants without delay,  Governor Uzodimma said that those who invaded the Church while the service was in progress were enemies of the people and must not be condoned.

“The attack was evil, dastard and sacrilegious in all ramifications,” Governor Uzodimma noted.

He specifically commiserated with the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade and all Catholics and urged them not to lose faith in the Supremacy of God and His ability to expose the agents of death that visited them.

“Your faith is further challenged and tested. You must not lose hope in God Almighty and the time to pray fervently is now,” Governor Uzodimma noted.

I Will Lead The Process To Choose Our Candidate – Buhari; Says APC Ready For 3rd Straight Victory

By
The Source
-
0
Buhari with APC National Advisory Council

At a meeting held Sunday night at State House, Abuja, with members of the National Advisory Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari appraised the series of consultations held so far towards getting a widely acceptable presidential standard bearer, and concluded: we are on the way towards winning our third straight victory since 2015.

Saying the meeting was convened to provide leadership and direction during the transition period, the President added that the motive was “to strengthen our unity and to focus on building upon our electoral fortunes.”

He added: “I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will in addition to sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture that already exists within the party system.

“In the course of these consultative processes, I have already met separately with the Progressive Governors and with all our eminent members who are aspiring to become the Presidential flag bearer for our party during the 2023 elections.

“I am pleased to inform you that those meetings have been fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls.”

President Buhari recalled that at the meeting with the Governors and the aspirants, “I underscored the important roles consensus building and consultation have played in the  survival of successful political parties around the world, adding that our party should not be an exception.

“Recognizing the foregoing, therefore, I also emphasized the need to strengthen our unity, stabilize our internal cohesion and system as well as present a formidable Presidential candidate who has the ability to build a unified nation and the capacity to deal with our challenges.

“The party machinery has also screened all our aspirants to the office of the President and found that they consist of eminent personalities, rich in experience, capacity, commitment to service and accomplishment in life. This gives us a lot of confidence but it also comes with its challenges.”

He said that in the circumstances, in order to prevent any post-convention acrimonies and also reduce noticeable anxiety among members on the possible outcome of the process, the party leadership has recommended the intensification of consultation and consensus building to reduce the number of aspirants as it approaches the convention, which commences Monday , June 6, 2022.

The President said in order to further support the efforts of the party, he has admonished the aspirants to consult among themselves and with the party, so that the objective of the recommendation by the leadership would be actualized.

And as members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, the President says he recognizes the fact that they all have diverse interests, spheres of influence and expectations.

“You similarly possess the collective ability to ensure our victory at the 2023 polls by strengthening the stability and unity of the party.

“My charge and appeal to all of you, therefore, is to reach out to your various spheres of influence to actively promote the spirit of consultation and consensus building so that a formidable candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections would emerge from the convention.  Our citizens do not expect less from us.”

President Buhari assured, as he did to the Governors and the aspirants, that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would lead the transition processes and on-going consultations, “till we successfully choose our candidate for the 2023 presidential elections and record our third straight victory, thereafter, by God’s grace.”

Responding on behalf of the National Advisory Council (hitherto known as Board of Trustees) members, former Internal Affairs Minister and Senator, Major General Mohammed Magodo (retd), former Osun State Governor and first Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, thanked the President for the consultative meetings, and commended him for the great service he had rendered to the country, particularly in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure.

They were unanimous that with hard work and a united front, the APC would win the presidential election billed for February next year, as well as National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly polls.

Ikpeazu Orders Immediate Sack Of Fulaní Herdsmen From Umunneochi Forest

By
The Source
-
0
Okezie Ikpeazu

By Charles Igbo

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has ordered all herdsmen in Umunneochi forest to vacate immediately.

The Governor’s order follows the continuous protests by Umunneochi youths over the incessant kidnappings in the area.

Following the embarrassing abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche Kanu, Sunday, May 30, 2022, on his way to the Owerri Airport to take a flight back to Lagos after a pastoral  visit to Isuochi, the youths blocked the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway in protest.

His Eminence was abducted along with the Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Dennis Mark, and the Prelate’s Chaplain.

The sum of N100m was paid in ransom money before they were released in the evening of May 31.

Prelate Uche, a native of the area had alleged, at a Press Conference in Lagos, that their abductors  were eight Fulani herdsmen who he identified as Nationals of Mali, Somalia and Niger. He said they had about 200 herds of  cattle in the bush.

In a Press release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Abia State, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, Ikpeazu ordered  all Herdsmen in Umunneochi out of the forests.

According to the statement, the Governor restricted them to the Cattle market at Umuchieze pending a final decision on the menace of the Cattle market.

The statement reads in full:

*Consequent upon the fact- finding visit of the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu  to the scenes of incessant Kidnappings and killings in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State;

“Arising from the extensive interactive sessions which His Excellency Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has been having with Umunneochi Leaders, Stakeholders and Security Agencies;

“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu hereby directs as follows:

“1.That the Commissioner of Police Abia State alongside with Umunneochi Youths provide immediate Security along the Ihube to Isuochi Road stretching from Ngodo through Lomara Junction all the Way to Ihube.

“2. Upon the implementation of the above directive The Governor directs the Chairmen of Umunneochi LGA, Chief Ifeanyi Madu to open the Road leading from Ihube through Lomara Junction to Ngodo Isuochi immediately.

“3.The Commissioner of Police, Abia State has been mandated to draw up logistic requirements for mounting six additional check points at strategic locations across Umunneochi LGA.

“4.Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu hereby directs that all settlers , herders and individuals residing inside the forests around Umunneochi LGA to vacate such locations with immediate effect.

“Government can no longer guarantee the safety of any person or group found to be residing in the forests around Umunneochi LGA.

“5. All cows and herders around Umunneochi LGA are hereby restricted strictly to the Cattle Market located at Umuchieze until a final decision is reached concerning the menace in the Cattle Market.

“6. The Leadership of the Youths of Umunneochi LGA Vigilante Groups, Hunters and the Hausa Community will continue to meet with the Governor until an amicable solution is found to the incessant cases of Insecurity in the Area.

“7. His Excellency, Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu urges all parties to show restraint and circumspection in their utterances and actions in order to maintain the peace and promote peaceful coexistence of all law abiding citizens.”

It is not known yet if the Governor’s action will assuage the anger of the youths who are also demanding for the relocation of the Cattle market at Lokpanta and the Military Barracks at Lomara.

They, as well as Prelate Uche, accuse the Soldiers in the area of complicity in the abductions.

The Army Spokesperson, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, vehemently denied the allegation.

Ondo Church Attack: We Shall Hunt Them Down – Afenifere; Says Akeredolu The Target; Attack On Yoruba As A Whole

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Catholic Church in Owo

By Adesina Soyooye

The Organising Secretary of Afenifere, the Pan Yoruba Socio-Cultural body, Apagun Kole Omololu, has condemned in strong words, the gruesome attack and murder of about 50 Worshippers, Sunday morning at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owa, Ondo State.

Afenifere said the attack is a direct attack on the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, for his stand on National issues as  well as on Yoruba land. It swore to hunt down the perpetrators. It also said Yoruba will not succumb to intimidation by terrorists.

The statement reads: “The massacre in Owo Catholic Church is a direct attack on Yoruba land.

“It is directed at Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for his unflinching support for security in Yoruba land by championing the Amatekun security outfits, his stringent upholding of the open grazing law, and for his ‘big mouth’ about Southern co-operation for equity and justice in Nigeria.

“We will not succumb into terrorist threats or attack.

“They will not be allowed to bring down our civilisation. We will hunt the killers down. Citizens should not take laws into their own hands by attacking innocent Northerners. Only the terrorists, who are mostly foreign Fulani, should be fished out and finished off by the security forces.

“This attack is to cause confusion and cause war in our land. We should not play into their hands. This evil is condemned in the strongest term.

“We commiserate with the Government and people of Ondo state, the Catholic Church, the Olowo of Owo and the people of Owo. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.”

Ondo Church Massacre: Eternal Sorrow Awaits Perpetrators On Earth And Hereafter – Buhari; CAN Mourns

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Catholic Church in Owo

By Ayodele Oni

President Mohamadu Buhari has flayed the gruesome killing of some Christian Worshippers in Owo, Ondo state on Sunday.

Gunmen, using a combined of explosives and fire-power  attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Road, Owo, Ondo State, and killed about 50 Worshippers.

The President, in a statement by his Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said only fiends from the nether region could have conceived and carried out such dastardly act, adding that eternal sorrow awaits them both on earth here, and ultimately in the hereafter.

The statement said that

President Buhari “mourns the dead, condoles with their families, the Catholic Church, and the Government of Ondo State, charging emergency agencies to swing into action, and bring succor to the wounded.

“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win.”

Also, Ondo State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), has condemned the Sunday attack on the Catholic Church, in Owo.

CAN in a statement stated that there is no justification for the attack, describing it as barbaric.

CAN’s statement, signed by Daisi Ajayi, Director of Information on behalf of tge Chairman, said: “The killings of some innocent souls in the name of whichever guise is the highest criminality everybody should rise up and condemned in our society.

“How can some people just wake up from no where and decided to kill his or her fellow men unjustly without any recourse to the judgement of God.

“The Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, Rev Fr. Anselm Ologunwa, who expressed shock over the dastardly act described the incident as ungodly.

He said: “The incident is one of the numerous cases happening under the security challenges facing the country which he called on president Mohammad Buhari to address this squarely.

“No where is safe in Nigeria with the recent kidnapping of Prelate of the Methodist church and two others on the road, the train and on the  air and now is inside the Church of God.

“Today being the feast of the Pentecost Sunday in the history of the Catholic Church, the  Holy Spirit of God will definitely fight for those that were killed in the incident.”

CAN called on Ondo State Government and Security Agencies in the State to, as a matter of urgency, go after the perpetrators of this herenious act and bring them to justice.

It condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the incident, the Catholic community and the entire state and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Christian group affirmed that the Christian Association of Nigeria, in Ondo State will continue to promote religious harmony and equal opportunities for all in the State without discrimination.

It admonished the people of the state to complement governor Akeredolu’s effort on their security and always be security conscious at all times.

1...2,0672,0682,069...2,996Page 2,068 of 2,996