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Wives Of Soldiers Attack Commanding Officer’s House Over Fate Of Husbands

By
The Source
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Solideirs wives on protest

By Gideon Njoku

A disturbing video of wives of soldiers, attacking a Commanding Officer’s house has surfaced.

The women, said to be wives of soldiers who, allegedly, died in the battle against insurgents, trooped, in their numbers, to the house of the Commanding Officer, 223 Battalion, Zuru, Kebbi State, most of them, wearing black, and bemoaning their fate.

Very angry and frustrated, they were carrying sticks and green leaves, screaming on top of their voices, talking at the same time. At a point, they made a bonfire with baskets and a tyre.

They refused to be consoled, or persuaded to leave. All efforts made by soldiers on guard at the Commanding Officer’s house to pacify them failed.

It is not known why the women resorted to attacking the Commanding Officer’s house, but the war against insurgents, has claimed quite a number of the gallant soldiers fighting to defend their fatherland.

It is, also, not known if the women had been officially told about the fate of their husband’s, or if they acted on speculations.

Recall, however, that on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 18 soldiers on the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Samaila Yombe were killed in an ambush. Eight others were injured, and two are missing. The soldiers were from the 223 Battalion, Zuru, Kebbi State.

They were, allegedly, members of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji.

The Deputy Governor, barely survived the fatal attack.

LASG Suspends NURTW Activities In Lagos, Backs MC Oluomo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Musiliu Akinsany- MC Oluomo

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, following the indefinite suspension slammed on Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo by the Tajudeen Baruwa-led NURTW National Body.

The crisis which engulfed the NURTW in Lagos State  escalated, prompting the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to suspend the activities of the Union from all parks and garages in Lagos with immediate effect.

A Statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known late Thursday.

Titled;  ‘Lagos Suspends NURTW From Parks’, it reads:  “The Lagos State Government has been watching closely events in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union. There have been claims and counter-claims over the control of the Union.

“The Government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.

“After considering the provisions of the law, the Government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State.

“The Government will set up a Committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector.

“The Government’s position is premised on its responsibility to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in all parks and garages in Lagos State.”

It would be recalled that the NURTW National Body had, allegedly, accused MC Oluomo, of insurbodination, high handedness, abuse of fundamental human rights which led to weeks of protracted conflict and leadership tussle.

The National body further accused MC Oluomo of resorting to intimidation, harassment, and assault on the newly-appointed Chairman, Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, Azeez Abiola, aka Istijabah. But Akinsanya refuted the claim that he instigated members of the Union to assault Abiola.

He, however, noted that the legality of the TOOAN operations in the state is a subject of a suit pending before the National Industrial Court.

Subsequently, the NURTW National body in Abuja on Thursday announced the indefinite suspension of Akinsanya for gross misconduct and directed him to hand over to his  Deputy.

Hours later, Akinsanya, at a press conference at the NURTW Secretariat in the Agege area of Lagos State, announced his withdrawal and that of lieutenants from the Union.

He also asked Sanwo-Olu to take over the running of all parks and garages in the state till peace returned to the Union.

“In view of this and the crisis at hand, Lagos State Government is, hereby, invited to consider its White Paper on Transport Union activities, 2004 section 5C, which states that the Government should take over the management of any garage or motor park where there is a crisis until such is resolved by the Consultative Committee.

We, hereby, call on Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the Union with the Constitution of a Park Management Committee for Motor Garages and Parks in the State, thereby ensuring peace and tranquility, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State,” Akinsanya said earlier on Thursday.

The operations of NURTW have been despised for years by Lagosians and social commentators.

Clad in grimy white tops and green trousers, NURTW operatives locally called Agberos are notorious for harassing, intimidating and forcibly collecting levies from commercial bus drivers at parks, garages and bus stops, leading to occasional fights, indecent of the ‘megacity’ aspiration of Lagos.

According to a 2021 report by the International Centre for Investigative Report, the Lagos chapter of NURTW generates about N123.08bn annually, which could service the annual budget of Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe states put together.

Aside from other extortioners on Lagos roads including corrupt security agents, NURTW operatives are the bane of commercial drivers, with many transporters lamenting that they milk them dry by collecting tolls at every bus stop.

Revealed: How Buhari Aborted Medical Trip To Sack Buni As APC National Chairman

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Muhammadu Buhari - Londo Trip

By Adesina Soyooye

Those who had wondered why President Mohammed Buhari suddenly aborted, and rescheduled, his two-week medical trip to the United Kingdom, last week, should wonder no more.

The President had been scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom from Nairobi, Kenya, where he had gone for a Summit, for a routine medical check-up. But, to the surprise of Nigerians, he headed back to Abuja after the meeting, and travelled out two days later to the UK.

What many who wondered did not know was that Buhari came to put out the fire in his backyard. He came to play politics. His Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, was on fire, and on the verge of literally collapsing.

The Party’s National Convention, which had been aborted before, was on the verge of being aborted again. The Party found out it had saboteurs within. Saboteurs who did not, out of alleged selfish interest, want the Convention to hold.

The Party was beginning to be a joke before Nigerians. The main opposition Party, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which had held a successful National Convention was beginning to yab the APC. A ruling party which could not hold a National Convention, the PDP yabbed, cannot rule the Country.

To the shock of some APC chieftains, they discovered that a couple of people within its leadership cadre was responsible for their problem. It was even more of a shock to them when they found out that it was, allegedly, the Chairman of its Interim National Committee, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, the Secretary, Dr John Akpanudoedehe, and about four State Governors who were behind it. Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, called the four Governors, “yahoo – yahoo Governors.”

They were to discover that Buni and Co already were in possession of a Court injunction to abort the National Convention scheduled for March 26, 2022, without, even, to  the knowledge of the President. They wanted to surprise the Party at the last minute. They wanted to continue in office.

When their plan was discovered, the President was briefed. That necessitated the President flying back from Nairobi to Abuja to give an order for the sacking of Buni.

As Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State put it during an interview on Wednesday with Channels Television, the President came back, held a meeting with the Governors, set in motion the sacking of Buni, hopped on a chopper to the Airport, and travelled to the UK

El-Rufai: “The President held a meeting with us (APC Governors), and gave us a clear directive and responsibilities and went into his waiting chopper at the airport. The President in his wisdom knew that we have the capacity.

“It is just that some of us decided to take the back seat and allow things to even get to this point because we believe that once we were elected, we should focus on governance, and leave the party administration to those who are better at it.

“But clearly, it got to a point that something was going to go wrong. the party was being placed at great risk, and we had to do something.

“I’m happy that the Caretaker Committee headed by Abubakar Sani Bello has issued a notice for an Emergency National Executive Committee Meeting.

“The President will join us virtually. Of course, His Excellency, the Vice President, all the Governors and all the State Chairmen of the party will converge on the Party Headquarters, and we will take certain decisions that will lay a very solid foundation for the Convention taking place March 26.

“We got to know of a Court Order last year. it was obtained in November. A member of the party went to Court to say there must not be a Convention until his case against the Party is disposed of which can take months or years and the lawyers of Buni went to Court and agreed with the person and nobody knew about this order.

“It was a hidden nuclear weapon to destroy the Convention which further made us believe that there are fifth columnists in the party that want to bring this party down because if we don’t have (Convention) and we go ahead with the Primaries, we might likely have our candidates lose all their seats as the case in Zamfara.

“We reported to the President that no action had been taken on the order. He said the Niger State Governor must take over on Monday and we should use whatever legal means necessary to make sure that the Convention is delivered.

“Bello has the President’s full backing and the backing of at least 19 of the 23 progressive Governors and Deputy Governors. There are  some Governors not fully on board, and are the ones planting fake stories. Since Monday he took over, we have substantial progress.”

El-Rufai also disclosed that the President has signed  some recommendations and endorsed the issue of zoning. However, he said that the Secretary to the Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, “refused to take instructions from Governor Bello who is Acting Chairman”.

El-Rufai: “I can assure you that even when he (Buni) returns to the country, he will handle no position. The National Secretary, I believe, the CECPC has taken action against him already. The CECPC has taken a decision on him. The CECPC will explain this decision in due time.”

Buni is on a medical trip in Dubai. On Thursday, a letter was in circulation, a hand-over letter, purportedly, from him to Bello to oversee  the affairs of the Party in his absence. But Bello denied getting any such letter from Buni. The Yobe State Governor has, definitely, lost out.

He is the second National Chairman of the APC to be sacked, unceremoniously, by Buhari. The first was former Edo State Governor, Adam Oshiomhole who the President replaced with Buni.

2023: APC Southern Caucus To Decide Where The Presidential Ticket Will Go – El-Rufai

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has, under pressure and protest from the South, and many others from the North, officially zoned the office of the President, in 2023, to the Southern part of Nigeria.

This, automatically, disqualifies anybody from the North from contesting for the office of the President.

This was revealed by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, when he spoke, Wednesday, on a Channels Television programme.

The Governor said it is now left for the APC Southern Caucus to decide which region in the South the ticket would go to.

El- Rufai: “Our expectation is that our Presidential candidate will come from somewhere in the south.

“It is up to the Southern caucus of the APC to now propose to us an acceptable candidate.”

The South is made up of three Zones – South-west, South-east and South-south.

Out of the three, only the South-east has not produced  a President since 1999 when the Military handed over power back to the civilians.

The South-west had eight years with President Olusegun Obasanjo. The South-south had six years with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Against 2023, the South-west, under the APC,  is, again, making a strong bid for it, flaunting both Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who has already started serious campaign, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is yet to declare his interest. It is also believed that other aspirants are likely to show interest from the South-west.

From the South-east, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, and Senator Rochas Okorocha have declared their interest.

From the South-south, nobody has declared yet, even though it is being seriously rumoured that the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, could be a favoured aspirant.

The South-east is arguing that for equity and justice, the office should be zoned to the South-east.

The expectation is that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, will also zone the office to the South. If it does, it will not be setting any precedent.

In 1999, the three major political parties zoned the President’s office to the South-west to compensate the Zone for the cancellation of the presumed victory, in 1993, of Chief MKO Abiola.

Abiola later died in the custody of the Military after the regime of late General Sani Abacha clamped him in detention for daring to insist on his electoral victory.

Ekiti Gov Election : We Never Asked Teachers To Submit Their Voters Cards – Govt Clarifies

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti State Government has clarified that teachers in the service of the State Government were not asked to submit their Permanent Voters Card(PVC) in respect of anything.

Government’s clarification is premised on a widely circulated social media information to the effect that teachers in the state have been directed to submit their PVCs through the State’s Teaching Service Commission.

According to the report, the PVCs are to be used during the June Governorship election to rig in favour of the ruling party in the state.

But a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Akin Omole, on Thursday  “condemned syndicated media reports alleging that the Kayode Fayemi-administration is requesting the submission of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from teachers through the state chapter of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) for ‘election rigging’ purposes.

“There is no iota of truth in the purported statement and law abiding citizens should disregard the claim.”

Mr Omole confirmed that the reckless rumours, which originated from statements made during an interview by Mr. Jackson Adebayo, a political operative and former Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is false and malicious, and has been rightly debunked by both the TESCOM and the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

“We are mindful of our role as a Government in the electioneering process and are duly guided by the electoral act and the guidelines as provided by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We are committed to contributing to the process of a free, credible, and fair election in the State, in keeping with extant laws and guidelines.

“We want to seize this opportunity to advise the general public to be watchful of inaccurate reports and information being circulated by politicians with negative intents as regards the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

“Amongst other priorities, the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi is fully focused on its duty to the people of the state and to our resourceful teachers by providing an enabling environment for their growth and development.

“It is interesting that this is coming at a time teachers are celebrating the fact that one of them, Mr. Asubiojo Henry Olaoluwa, through the unprecedented facilitation of the Governor was recently appointed to the board of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC).

“This administration enjoys the goodwill of our esteemed teachers, and they know Mr. Governor is a decent public servant who would never be party to anything that would impugn on the integrity of the electoral process.”

Reaction Trails Participation Of Murder Suspect, Chidinma, In Prison Beauty Pageant

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Prison Service has received knocks and flaks over the participation and emergence of Chidinma Ojukwu, the murder suspect of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, as Miss Cell 2022.

At the Beauty Pageant held on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 at Kirikiri Female Prison to mark the International Women’s Day 2022, Chidinma emerged as the Most Beautiful Girl. This has however generated controversy from different quarters.

Some have queried why the murder Suspect who is still standing trial should be allowed to participate in such competition following the alleged crime committed by the 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG.

Others have also queried that Chidinma was yet to be convicted of the crime, as she is till a suspect, making her participation in the Prison Beauty Pageant  condemnable

Chidinma had defeated other inmates at its facilities to the beauty pageant in grand style.

Pictures from the pageant flooded social media  Wednesday and sent tongues wagging on the propriety or otherwise of allowing non-convicts such as Miss Ojukwu to participate in the event.

Reacting to the deluge of flaks and criticism, the Centre’s Public Relations Officer, Rotimi Oladokun, said that the pageant and all the other events were open to all female inmates, whether convicted or awaiting trial.

Oladokun, a Superintendent, said: “I haven’t seen the pictures you are talking about. But in line with International Women’s Day, the female custodial facilities commemorated International Women’s Day with inmates, various inmates without distinction or discrimination against anybody – an inmate is an inmate.

“All the inmates in different cell blocks presented various programmes. Some did theatre presentations, others drama, some poetry, some beauty pageant, some drawings, paintings, comedy. So, various blocks won. It was just like an inter-cell block event.

“There were lots of presentations. It was not an individual thing. It was just the facility’s way of trying to reform the inmates, those still in custody.

“So, that’s why they commemorated International Women’s Day, that’s why it was done in the female facility, not the male’s”.

Stressing further on Chidinma’s participation, the spokesman said: “The particular inmate, I don’t know her name, There were various winners.

“The costumes were made by the inmates in the facility and some of the winners got sponsorship to pay for their UME forms, NECO, WASSCE and higher education.

“Some donated libraries to us, apart from some other stationery, and welfare resources. It was not an individual event, so the prizes were collective.”

He further explained that Chidinma could have been a representative of a block.

“There were representatives for each block, so maybe the inmate you are referring to was one of such representatives, but it was not an individual event, it was a collective one commemorating International Women’s Day,” Oladokun stated.

MC Oluomo Withdraws From NURTW National Body Following Indefinite Suspension

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Musiliu Akinsany- MC Oluomo

By Akinwale Kasali

Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has distanced himself from the National Body of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, led by Tajudeen Baruwa, over his indefinite suspension by the body for insubordination,  abuse of fundamental human rights and other offences.

Last week, the NURTW National Body had queried MC Oluomo for his high handedness, disrespect for constituted authority and insubordination, threatening to suspend him.

He has been accused of inciting members against the National Leadership and fronting for Tricycle Operators in Lagos.

Responding to the query issued to him, MC  Oluomo  had stated that he faithfully complied with the laws guiding the Union’s operations and vowed never to do anything that will tarnish the image of the Union nor bring the Union back to the inglorious position of being branded as thugs and disturbers of the public peace in Lagos.

On allegation of using thugs to forcefully take over branches of his perceived enemies, Oluomo  said nothing of such ever happened since he took over.  Oluomo said that he involves himself in promotion of peace and prevention of forceful takeover of branches.

“One of the major achievements of this present executive under my leadership in Lagos State is the promotion of peace and prevention of forceful takeover of branches. If any of the Zonal Chairmen to whom the branches belong, however, bring the issue to our attention, same shall be investigated openly and the cause/reason determined,” he said.

It, however, came as surprise when the National Body decided to suspend him indefinitely, prompting him to withdraw his allegiance to the Union.

This was made known in a viral video that is currently trending where MC Oluomo openly withdrew from the National Union.

Buni, Some Yahoo Yahoo APC Governors, Tried To Circumvent Our National Convention – Akeredolu

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Governor,  Rotimi Akeredolu said on Thursday that the sacked Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and some few Governors of the party were behind several failed attempts to conduct the National Convention of the party.

Governor Akeredolu, in a statement he personally signed in Akure, revealed that “Governor Buni and pocket-filling black legs in corridors of power tried to supplant President’s Will.

“Except a few ‘Yahoo, Yahoo Governors’ apologies to Former PGF DG, most of us are resolute behind  Governor Bello to salvage the party. No black market judicial procurement can stop the convention.

“With nostalgia, one can recall the moments of our struggle as compatriots from all walks of life enunciated and berthed Nigeria’s most ingeniously successful political network.

“Without being immodest, APC’s birth was a novel instance. The party’s philosophical beacon woven around its ideological leaning was alluring.

“Undoubtedly, the firm leadership, candour and honesty exemplified by Mr President who heads the administration that is the product of the APC deserve no less of support and complimentary responsibilities from all stakeholders.

“The installation of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC was beyond a call to service.

“It was a child of necessity moulded to one, instill discipline in leadership and engender coherence among stakeholders and more importantly, to deepen the Rule of Law in our party.

“However, the insidious and appalling happenings within our party in the last few months, especially under the immediate-past leadership clearly posit a huge embarrassment.

“Without necessarily dwelling on details that are known to critical stakeholders, the path taken lately by Governor Mai Mala Buni, the immediate past head of the CECPC and an indivisible few, is an unenviable trajectory undeserving of our dear party. It is a disdainful narrative.

“Nevertheless, the courage and determination as well as shrewd sincerity of purpose demonstrated by most of the APC Governors remain a delight.

“Significantly, the swift response and prompt action taken by Mr President have, in no small means, salvaged our great party from internal scavengers.

“We indeed, survived a Civilian Coup largely inspired by mischief and incurable lust for power through artificial barricades.

“Succinctly, aside feeling very delighted as a major stakeholder in the latest successful Rescue Mission, I express my confidence in the ability and capacity of Governor Sanni Bello(ABU LOLO) to take APC through.

“We, the Governors, are for the party except for the few “Yahoo, Yahoo” Governors  (apologies to Salihu, former DG of the Progressive Governors’ Forum) who were hand in glove with Buni to circumvent the Will of majority of our Party (APC) members.

“Progressive Governors in the true name, mostly all of us, are determined to see our Party through these patchy parts at all cost.

“None of the scanty number has the guts to carry out their imaginary threats as reported in sponsored stories. We dare them to leave the party.

“Their short-lived antics in armtwisting Governor Buni and probably, some pocketfilling elements within the corridors of power to supplant the President’s will through fake letters, endorsements as well as ‘Black Market’ injunction (procured since November, 2021) are despicable.

“Now that the clear motive aimed at frustrating our national convention has been botched, our dear party is on the track to greatness.

“Governor Sanni Bello, ABU LOLO, carry on; you have the backing of the majority of us. You shall see our  FULL backing come Thursday, 17th March, 2022 at the National Executive Committee meeting.

“But as you know, this is ONLY for the conduct of the NATIONAL CONVENTION.”

Governor Akeredolu had early in the week canvased for internal democracy within the ruling party.

2023: Forget Osinbajo, Tinubu, Amaechi Is In Buhari’s Heart

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Aisha Buhari Visits to Rotimi Amaechi

By Adesina Soyooye

A shocker may be in the offing for a number of people who think that the Presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is already in the pocket of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Or, that it could go the way of the very brilliant Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

President Muhammadu Buhari, hints suggest, might be looking elsewhere, not in the direction of the two men.

Those who think that Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is in good stead to get President Buhari’s nod to run for the office of the President, may not be far from the truth.

There are pointers to that. There have been speculations. But they have largely been dismissed, until very recently.

Not a few people began to take note, seriously, when the Minister was given a high profile title by President Buhari’s Emir, Dr Faruk Umar. He gave him the title Dan Amanar  Daura – the trusted son of Daura.  Abuja literally moved to honour Amaechi. President Buhari is from Daura.

And, as if that was not enough, on Amaechi’s return  from Daura, First Lady, Aisha  Buhari did what she had never done before. She visited the Minister and his wife, Judith, at their residence, with her entourage, bearing gifts. She said she went to congratulate him on the title bestowed on him.

Now, Buhari’s favourite Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has indirectly let the cat a little out of the bag.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Wednesday, El-Rufai, on what to expect in 2023, out of the blues, threw in Amaechi’s name, as well as that of the President.

He emphasized that he had no interest in being on the ballot in 2023. He said he was tired and needed to rest after serving for two-terms as Governor. Then, he gently dropped a strong hint on how the President’s mind may be working.

El-Rufai said it is only the President that can make him be on the ballot in 2023 as a Vice Presidential candidate. But he quickly added that the only person he could be on the ballot with in 2023, if the President insisted, is Amaechi. It was the President, he reminded Nigerians, who forced him to be on the Governorship ballot in 2015.

El-Rufai:  “I’ve said over and over that I’m not a contestant for any office. I’m not aspiring for anything. If Governor Rotimi Amaechi is interested in running for any office, he has the right to do so. But I’m not running for anything and I’m not going to be on his ticket. But if President Buhari  insists, that would be a different conversation. I’ll explain to him why I don’t think it’s a good idea but of course, if he insists, I will.

“I’m physically tired because I do take my work seriously. For the last eight years, I’ve worked myself flat out and I’m not young anymore.

“I’ll be 63 next year. So I prefer to look at other options to contribute to the development of my country but of course, I didn’t want to run for Governor but the President insisted so if he insists that I do something I have so much regard for him and his judgement then I’ll do it, even if reluctantly.

Before now, some young and like-minded APC stakeholders were working on a joint ticket of Ekiti State  Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and El-Rufai.  That, it seems now, from El-Rufai’s pronouncement, is not possible.

However, a source told this magazine that Fayemi is still very hopeful. Said the source who is considerably close to Fayemi: “Fayemi has the backing of a majority of Governors, and we are sure that Tinubu and Osinbajo will cancel each other out.”

Perhaps, not a few people think, if Buhari settles for Amaechi, it is because he wants to kill two birds with one stone – endorse a rotation of the President to the South, and assuage the Igbo who have been clamouring for the Presidential seat.

Even though Amaechi is from the South-south, he is Igbo, a fact he has never denied, unlike the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who constantly denies any affiliation with the Igbo- speaking area of Nigeria.

Amaechi was a two-time Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly under his mentor, former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili. He was also, a two-time Governor of Rivers State, and a two-time Chairman of the powerful Nigeria Governors Forum.

2023: Pastor Adeboye RCCG Takes A Stand

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG has urged its members worldwide to take more than a passive interest in the next year’s general election.

One of the biggest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adeboye said it was prepared to support any of its members that want to contest election.

The message was contained in a memo recently sent to all top pastors in the country. The church has now created a new directorate for politics, to be headed by Timothy Olaniyan, a Pastor in Charge of Province (PICP) Lagos Province 12, for effect.

The development comes in the back of suggestions that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a pastor in the RCCG is planning to contest nest year’s presidential election.

Osinbajo has yet to make a categorical statement on whether he will run for the nation’s highest office or not, but Laolu Akande, his spokesman said on Wednesday that the vice president will soon make his intention public.

Akande said his principal is currently focused delivering his mandate as the nation’s number two citizen, and that’s “what he is focused on now; and like I have also said in my last tweet, whatever will be his activities or whatever he would do will be communicated officially,” he said.

According to a memo addressed to all regions, provinces, zones and other levels of the church, the mission said the directorate was established to help its members who are interested in contesting for political offices.

The church addressed the memo with reference number RCCG/AGO/ADM/AA.MEMO/20/01/2022, and dated February 28, through its Assistant General Overseer (Admin/Personnel) Pastor J. F. Odesola.

Part of the circular reads, “We write to formally notify you that the mission authority has created the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance in the RCCG. Further to this, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan (PICP Lagos Province 12) has been appointed to lead the office.

“You are kindly requested to appoint with immediate effect a Provincial Officer for your province and also ensure that the same is done at all levels of the church – zone, area and parish. The essence of this directorate is to help coordinate the engagement of our people who are willing to be involved in politics as well as mobilize support for them when required.”

The mission has also directed its regions and provincial pastors to send the details of their nominated coordinators for the office to the Office of the Assistant General Overseer (Admin/Personnel) of the mission.

Meanwhile, keen watchers of politics insist that the leadership of the church may have decided pull its weight behind Vice President Osinbajo in case he chose to run for the nation’s highest office.

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