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Why church leadership should take politics seriously – Ighodalo

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Why church leadership should take politics seriously – Ighodalo.

Why church leadership should take politics seriously – Ighodalo.
…Akinyemi chides INEC, says election must hold
…Sowore turns gospel preacher

By Ifeoma Ikem

 

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Senior Pastor of Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo, has advised church leadership in Nigeria to take politics serious and drop its ‘I don’t care’ attitude.

 

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Why church leadership should take politics seriously – Ighodalo.

 

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This is even as Dr Bolaji Akinyemi, a religious activist, cautioned the Chairman of the Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged plan to cancel the February elections.

Pastor Ighodalo gave the advice during the fifth edition of ‘One Man Conference’ organised by Apostolic Roundtable in Lagos, that was graced by people from all walks of life.

Ighodalo said Nigeria is in a critical condition with various choices of leaders and therefore cannot afford to make a wrong choice.

“We all should arise, the ignorance of the leadership of the church is not encouraging.

“Nigeria is known as a country with natural resources but unfortunately, we do not have true leaders with genuine love for the nation,” he stated.

According to the cleric, “The nation needs true leaders who are truly passionate about Nigeria, leaders who are honest, faithful, disciplined, hardworking and energetic.

“We do not need leaders who will occupy the position for their selfish interests, but people who are well educated, with integrity, well informed and intelligent.

“What Nigeria need now are leaders that will bring change and make positive impact on the nation’s building.’’

Dr Pogu Bitrus, president of the Middle Belt Forum, reminded the gathering that good governance is a function of good leadership.

He noted that Nigerians need the right candidate, people without bias for tribe or religion, that will put the nation first, to compose the government, and which would also prioritise the protection of the people as one nation.

“What One Man Nigeria is searching for since independence is now here; we need to actualise this dream, change the former order and pursue it.

“We need to keep the ship afloat and champion this noble vision, let everyone work side by side, until we achieve this come 2023 general election,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr Akinyemi, convener of the Apostolic Round Table, cautioned the INEC boss Yakubu over report it planned to cancel the national polls slated for February this year.

He also said the nation needs a new constitution to stop the political cabal that are controlling the political space.

In his words, “We are not going to repeat what happened in 1993 in 2023. This time, they have failed; we don’t have to bring leaders who are not competent.

“We don’t owe any presidential candidate a dime; this time with God Almighty, we will get it right.”

The activist urged Nigerians to understand that election is for the people not even the INEC chairman; “he has no right to tell us that election won’t hold. It is a clear constitutional matter and no one should come with flimsy excuses.”

Akinyemi added that by now the citizenry was expecting the electoral body to be fully ready to hold the polls, with all needful materials and equipment in place in its various offices, rather than “playing this dirty game that we are familiar with.”

Some of the presidential candidates that graced the event were Latifu Kolawole of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and African Action Congress (AAC)’s Omoyele Sowore, among others.

Mr Sowore, in his contribution, waxed religious in his approach, as he urged Nigerians to rise and possess their inheritance, restating that leadership is about service and that everyone in this nation needs protection.

“How long will we continue to sit and watch looters loot our country; how long will we continue to allow them tell us when to wake or sleep? The nation God has given to us, when are we going to possess it? God is here now. It needn’t take forever; it’s time,” he stated.

Sowore further hinted that the dream of a great and working Nigeria lies in going back to the foundation, learning to appreciate our core values, including the use of indigenous languages to drive learning in the schools.

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Kogi Tribunal: Confusion as SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’ .Renders testimony baseless

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Panic As The Cardoso Family Takes Possession Of Lagos Land With 300 Houses

Kogi Tribunal: Confusion as SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’

.Renders testimony baseless

The testimony of a witness of the Social Democratic Party at the Election Petitions Tribunal on the Kogi State governorship election went awry, on Thursday as the witness’ statement before the Tribunal contradicted the documents submitted.

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The petitioners had delved away from BVAS, after their star witness claimed he was not in Kogi State during the said election, and alleged that the All Progressives Congress candidate, now the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, forged his age declaration affidavit.

The witness, one Dan Musa Williams from the FCT High Court, in Abuja, who had said the document did not emanate from the Court, upon cross examination, could not substantiate his claims.

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When asked whether he checked the record of the registry to ascertain that it was a forged document, he said he just looked at the date, being a Saturday and concluded that it could not have been from them.

It was, however, found that the “declaration of age” affidavit was sworn in Okene, Kogi State, and not in FCT, but the witness claimed that a lawyer forwarded the one he was talking about to him.

Confusion, however, set in when the witness claimed that he also concluded that the affidavit submitted by the APC candidate was fake because it did not have the name and picture of the deponent on it.

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At this point, the attention of the SDP witness was drawn to the fact that the affidavit with INEC, which he also annexed, had both the picture of the deponent and name, and that it was sworn in Okene and not FCT.

The contradictions between what the witness said in court and the documents he (the same witness) presented to the court, seemed to have damaged his testimony beyond repair, as he could not give further defence after the discrepancies were pointed out.

Sitting was thereby adjourned to March 30, 2024 for continuation of hearing.

Pius Akubo, SAN, represented the petitioners, while Kanu Agabi SAN, JB Daudu SAN, and DC Denwigwe SAN represented the Respondents.

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$87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan, Wife Re-arrested, Remanded In Prison As Court Demands Stringent Bail Conditions (Video)

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$87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan, Wife Re-arrested, Remanded In Prison As Court Demands Stringent Bail Conditions (Video)

 

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Abayomi Segun Oluwasesan who allegedly committed the heinous crime of defrauding the leading global crypto space known as Afriq Arbitrage System has been Re-arrested alongside his wife and arraigned in Federal High court, Jabi in Abuja.

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$87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan, Wife Re-arrested, Remanded In Prison As Court Demands Stringent Bail Conditions (Video)

 

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Abayomi and his wife were tracked to an estate in Lagos and brought back to Abuja on Sunday, March 24th, 2024 over the lingering financial scam to the tune of 87 million dollar and criminal activities he perpetrated against AAS and the CEO, Jesam Micheal.

 

The arraignment of Abayomi by the IG of police at the Federal High Court in Abuja witnessed a significant development on Thursday, March 28th, 2024, as the case involving the alleged theft of 87 million dollar by Abayomi OluwaSesan charged by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, proceeded with significant deliberations.

 

 

The accused individuals were charged for purportedly accessing millions of subscribers’ investments at the Afriq Arbitrage Company’s online trading platform until October 9th, 2023.

 

 

In the courtroom presided over by Justice Ms. Idris, both parties, including the defendants’ lawyer and the complainant lawyer Sidi Abdulrasheed, were present alongside individuals whose investments were affected by the alleged fraud at the Afriq Arbitrage Company.

 

 

During the session,the defendants’ lawyer appealed for bail on behalf of Abayomi OluwaSesan citing their prolonged detention and promising their availability for trial if granted bail. However, the complainant lawyer, Sidi Abdulrasheed, opposed the bail request, highlighting previous instances where the defendants had allegedly fled after being granted bail.

 

 

 

Upon hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ms. Idris urged the parties to come to a consensus before she delivers her ruling.

 

 

He emphasised the importance of punctuality and adherence to court proceedings if bail were to be granted to the defendants.

 

 

After a brief recess, court proceedings resumed at 2:38 pm, with Justice Ms. Idris adjourning the case until April 18th, 2024. The judge mandated that the suspects remain in police custody until the specified date unless they meet stringent bail conditions.

 

 

 

These conditions include providing two sureties each with 500 million Naira, owning property in Maitama, and also two directors in the federal civil service. Additionally, the sureties must deposit the title documents of their properties in court.

 

 

 

Justice Ms. Idris said the hearing will be April 29th and May 2nd 2024.

He reassured those present in the courtroom, including individuals affected by the case, of a fair and timely judgement. He affirmed his commitment to ensuring that the matter is resolved within the year, providing closure to those impacted by the alleged financial misconduct.

 

 

Speaking to Jesam Micheal the CEO of Afriq Arbitrage Company’s (AAC) after the court proceedings, he said he is Satisfied by the proceedings of the trial judge.

 

 

$87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan, Wife Re-arrested, Remanded In Prison As Court Demands Stringent Bail Conditions (Video)  

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PFN warns Lagos State chapter of CAN to steer clear internal affairs of the state’s chapter

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PFN warns Lagos State chapter of CAN to steer clear internal affairs of the state’s chapter

 

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By Ifeoma Ikem

 

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The Senior Pastor of A Torch From Heaven Ministry, Bishop Joe Ighalo has warned the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Steven Adegbite to steer clear from the internal affairs of the state’s chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

Ighalo said this during a press briefing titled: “State of Our State; Our Stand” in Lagos.

He said that the Adegbite-led Lagos chapter of CAN should not bring politics into the kingdom matters, especially when it has to do with the Lagos State chapter of PFN.

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According to him, there is no doubt that CAN is the umbrella body of the PFN, but they should be allowed to handle its internal affairs.

“Why would you want to destroy PFN and keep CAN going, this is against the mission of the founding fathers of the PFN,” he said.

Ighalo noted that the issue between CAN and PFN began when the national body of the PFN failed to ratify the election of Pastor Kehinde, the acclaimed winner of the February 5, 2024 PFN Chairmanship election.

The PFN national body did not ratify the election as it said that there were anomalies in the process.

However, the Lagos CAN Chairman, Bishop Adegbite, reportedly led a protest against the development, which prompted Bishop Ighalo to say that CAN does not have any constitutional right or power over PFN, and warned that they should not interfere with the affairs of the PFN.

Also speaking, the Senior Pastor of Agape Worship Center, Ojodu, Lagos, Dr. David Odi said that as far as he was concerned, Lagos State is one of the most organised states in Nigeria in terms of economy, leadership and ministry, adding that this must be respected.

Odi explained that those who are behind the issue are trying to create problems that doesn’t exist in PFN body since inception so that whoever is voted into office would owe them allegiance.

“There’s no fight or crisis in Lagos PFN. I don’t even know any other person who is interested in the position,” he added.

According to him, i believed that the current chairman of the Lagos State chapter of PFN has served his term and is on his way out, and that Pastor Kehinde is not dragging the position with anybody.

“I don’t know any other person that will take the position until proper election is conducted.

“I’m optimistic that if there’s any election tomorrow, next week or next month, Pastor Kehinde will still win because nobody is dragging it with him.

“Those people still occupying the seat have finished their terms,just for them to exchange mantle and congratulated Pastor Kehinde.

“People behind the crisis are those who have peculiar interest in filthy lucre that the Bible talked about. Some people are driven by hunger for money. They are doing this because of the 2027 general elections ,” he said.

He added that some people want to make Pastor Kehinde believe that they fought for him to get into the office.

Meanwhile, nobody is fighting to bring anybody in, if there’s election anytime we would still vote for him.

In his contributions, Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi, Convener of Apostolic Round Table, (ART)
said that nobody will destroyed or throw fire into his house to burn it down because of selfish interest.

Stressing that “PFN is our room” and “CAN is our building,” and the matter will soon be resolved amicably.

Stakeholders in PFN have set up a committee to resolve the matter between those that are involved as any house that is divided against itself do not stand .

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