Politics
2023 Elections: Nigeria’s Christendom for Unity or Disunity of the Nation
2023 Elections: Nigeria’s Christendom for Unity or Disunity of the Nation
The body of Christ has never been this divided over politics, this is fueled by the aggressive and loud manner the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been going about its campaign for recognition, it would be recollected that CAN had faced similar disunity when the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria pulled out of the association during the period Pastor Ayo Oristejafor was the president it only returned in 2018 and this time around making utterances that will polarize the pulpit.
Recently when a group of about 30 clergymen from various churches and denominations across Nigeria stormed the unveiling of the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima in support of his aspiration for the office of the President, the clergymen were talked-down on by others in the Christian community, most vocal is the Vice President of CAN (19 Northern States and Abuja) and its chairman in Kaduna State, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, who described them as hire mechanics.
In his words “BAT is free to hire mechanics and other artisans and sew clerical garments for them. An effort that will only add to their many ropes when the political exercise is over but will not change the need for fairness and justice that CAN is calling for.”
The tone of CAN representative set the social media on fire as this seems to be the basis with which these clergies are been abused, this singular action has brought ridicule to the body of Christ since findings revealed some of those people are actually known to the Rev. Joseph John Hayab, take for example Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, of Gboko Catholic Diocese Benue State who is also the APC Governorship Candidate in the State, also Bishop Edward Williams Chanomi of Chapel of Peace Mararaba, Abuja.
In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule, and to later inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the world, “The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different.”
It will be recalled that Christianity like Islam preaches peace and unity but the current trend shows religion is being used as a platform for power by many of these pastors who would ignore competence to stake a claim at a place in political relevance.
Pastors are regarded as an epitome spirituality and intelligence who are usually apolitical since it is expected they are fathers to their diverse congregation and the prospected ones, but that has since changed since they are now vocally and angrily expressing their displeasure that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not choose a northern Christian as a running mate even when no northern Christian has emerged the CAN president in over 40 years.
The choice of words of some of this leaders shows they have an axe to grind even when both the Presidential candidate are known to be liberal and has even expressed their mind about not representing any religion but Nigerians, after the appearance of the clerics at the unveiling days back, the tone of the CAN representative that issued a statement is that of somebody who will not care if the country will go into flames.
The attendance of the clergy caused a great deal of controversy and speculation as online sleuths picked holes in their attire, claiming that their shoddy appearance was proof of a conspiracy on the part of the APC to invite fake Christian leaders to the unveiling.
When asked about their decision to attend the event decked in religious garb, one attendee who did not give his name said “I am proud to be a Christian BAT supporter. I have no problem with a Muslim-Muslim ticket because I very much believe in the Jagaban”.
Another one of the clergy identified as the senior pastor of Yoke Breakers Prophetic Ministry, Bishop Ugokwe Prince; the founder Christian and Muslim Love International foundation said; they believe in the unity and religious harmony of the country.
Speaking further he disclosed that they are to show support and solidarity and offers prayers for the party and also to advise in areas they believe as a group of clergy can contribute to the party to get it right in the forthcoming presidential and general election come 2023, he stated.
Even when Tinubu has politely and categorically defended his choice of Kashim Shettima as the man who can help him bring the best governance to all Nigerians, regardless of their diverse religious affiliations or considerations of ethnicity or region, these naysayers will not stop at discrediting and condemning the Muslim-Muslim ticket over a mundane issue of a same faith ticket in d presidential race of a country with such magnitude like Nigeria.
It stands to reason that such primordial religious sentiments shouldn’t be allowed to becloud our collective entity as one big united family, religion or no religion.
*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*
As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.
Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.
Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.
“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”
Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.
“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.
He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.
He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.
Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic
ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.
Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”
The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.
“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.
“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”
The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.
“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”
Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.
He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Source: Daily Independent
-
Business6 months agoMaxwell Opara Goofed Says AAS Investors As They Stand By Jesam Michael, Demand For Justice
-
society6 months agoExposing The Many Lies Of Wanted Cyber Bully, Dorcas Adeyinka + Her Failed Attempt To Blackmail The Odegbamis
-
society6 months agoAlleged Assault In Court: Setting The Record Straight, Jesam Michael is The Victim, Not Maxwell Opara
-
Politics6 months agoNiger’s Journey of Redemption Under Governor Bago* By Paul Dickson