Osun 2022: Tinubu, Osinbajo, Lawan, 21 governors to attend APC mega rally

The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, 21 governors and other APC stalwarts will storm Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for a mega rally in support of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

In a statement, the Commissioner of Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemonde, disclosed that APC chieftains at the national level and across the 36 states will be in Osun for the mega rally.

She noted that logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The rally that scheduled to hold at Osogbo Township Stadium at 11 am today, will signal the end of the campaign for Oyetola’s re-election in Saturday’s governorship election.

“We trust that members of the APC will show the formidable strength and decorum the party is known for.

“We implore all residents and citizens of Osun to come out en-masse and in public acclamation of their overwhelming support for the APC candidate,” the statement read.

Buhari hosts APC governors, declare support for Shettima's candidacy

No fewer than nine Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, on Monday, held a one-hour closed-door meeting with the President Muhammadu Buhari in his Daura private residence at the end of which they declared their support for Senator Kashim Shettima as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 general election.

The Governors also said they had confidence in the combination of Tinubu and Shettima to ensure victory for the party at the presidential election.

The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Abubakar Bagudu, who spoke with journalists at the end of the closed-door meeting said, “We were pleasantly surprised when Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu announced in Daura on Sunday that Senator Kashim Ibrahim Shettima was the Vice Presidential candidate.

“We were happy that it is no less a person than Senator Shettima who was announced the Vice Presidential candidate. No doubt, Senator Shettima would complement the good qualities of Asiwaju Tinubu. We are very very happy at the choice. The two will complement each other and will surely consolidate on the achievements of the President in the past seven years .”

Bagudu added that their visit to Daura was to felicitate the President over Sallah.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, also chipped in that Shettima’s choice as the vice presidential candidate was a collective decision by all the Progressives Governors, adding that all the governors would work hard to ensure victory for the APC in the 2023 elections.

He said, “The choice of Senator Shettima as the vice presidential candidate is a collective decision. We shall work hard to ensure victory in all our states.”

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, also said while the choice of the vice presidential candidate was the prerogative of the presidential candidate, all the APC governors would work to ensure the party’s victory at the 2023 general election.

He declared, “A presidential candidate has the prerogative of picking his Vice. But ours is to ensure the party’s victory in the presidential election.”

The nine governors: Aminu Masari (Katsina); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi); Abubakar Bello (Niger); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Hope Uzodimma (Imo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Simon Lalong (Plateau); and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), had earlier held the closed-door meeting with the President.

They were led by the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State.

All of them except El-Rufai had travelled by road from Katsina where Governor Aminu Masari led them as chief host.

They drove into Daura’s private residence of the President few minutes after 1:00 p.m, shortly after which the meeting started. The Kaduna State Governor later joined them at the meeting.

The meeting lasted almost one hour after which they and the President retired for a lunch.

The President later saw them off at 3:05pm after publicly exchanging banters with them.

Source: The PUNCH

Bwala dumps APC over Muslim-Muslim ticket, says party choose politics over unity

Legal practitioner and politician, Daniel Bwala, has dumped the the ruling All Progressives Congress after the party announced a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

Bwala argued that the APC has chosen “politics over unity” and ignored the values of “inclusivity, tolerance, common prosperity and diversity.”

In a tweet announcing the decision, Bwala said it was “based on principles and conviction that I hold so dear.

“At this time of our national existence, our efforts and energy should gravitate towards uniting our people.”

Speaking on a Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, Bwala argued that Bola Tinubu’s decision to pick former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate, was not “good news for the APC.”

He also noted that Northern Muslims would have voted for a vice-president candidate who is a Northern Christian.

2023: SDP and Labour Party form alliance in Benue

Ahead of 2023 general elections, the Social Democratic Party in Benue State has gone into alliance with the Labour Party for a formidable opposition in the state.

Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, John Enemari, who disclosed this on Monday, said the leadership of his party had given directives to all party chairmen, its executives at the 276 electoral wards and the 23 local government areas to support the Labour Party for good governance to revamp the socioeconomic fortunes of the people in Benue State.

Speaking at a news conference in Makurdi where he led members of its executive across the three senatorial zones and council wards in the state, Enemari charged them to go and build the Labour Party and support its candidates.

“The man that is coming is a young man that has done very well in his constituency. This is his fourth time at the National Assembly, House of Representatives; once you mention his name, they will tell you they know him. My people are calling me, ‘Chairman, where do you want us to go?’ I said, ‘Look, wait, I met with him and we spoke, so my people we are going to work with him’ (Herman Hembe).”

The SDP boss in the state said the crisis at the national level has destabilised the party in all the states of the federation, which he said, led to having factions indestabilise.

Enemari said the time had come when the party in the state had to take its future in its hand, accusing the national leadership of the party of sweeping the state office of several millions of naira generated from aspirants in the build-up to the 2019 general election.

“We  cannot continue to suffer for them at the national office; the national office ripped close to N100 million from the Benue SDP in 2018 but no one kobo was sent to us to work for the party and by the party constitution we were supposed to get not less than N75 million from the sales of forms in accordance with the party’s constitution, Section 72(2), but these people in Abuja sat on it.

“In a party, if you don’t win election, what do you do? Now they are in court. Let them continue. Benue is not a revenue yielding state for them. Benue now needs good governance; we cannot remain idle. We must work with those with integrity to deliver the state,” Enemari said.

Before concluding on the Labour Party, Enemari said the state leadership had  consulted with other parties like the APC, the PDP, but said it  didn’t work out.

“Since we did not have a governorship candidate, we have decided to give our full support and to ensure that Labour Parry wins in Benue State and salvage the state from the infrastructural deficit and failed promises,” he said.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate, Heman Hembe, expressed happiness with the alliance.

Speaking through his senior legislative aide, Jude Nyor, Hembe said the SDP was a good party that understood where the country was moving and called other parties in the state to join the Labour Party.

Source: The PUNCH

RCCG City of David unveils 14-floor Trinity Towers

The City of David Church of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has unveiled a commercial and leisure space built on 14-floors, located strategically at the heart of the fast-developing commercial area of Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Christened Trinity Towers, the novel project is a unique and innovative masterpiece that comprises three towers (South, Middle, and North Towers) all in one building. The promoters claim the building is the first tri-tower and first commercial building with the highest lift per square meterage.

The Guardian reports that the doors of the towers were thrown open last week, to the public where the brokerage firms, Estate links (Gbenga Olaniyan & Associates) together with Knight Frank invited notable brokers for a walk-through of the building, a programme tagged, ‘Agents Partnership Forum’, which attracted leading firms in the real estate industry in Lagos State.

Mr. Gbenga Olaniyan of Estate Links explained that Trinity Towers was set up to generate income that would enable the church to carry out its wide range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

“The City of David has a major CSR project and expected rental income is in excess of N2 billion per annum. That is the kind of money the church will have for its CSR. All the fund goes to charity,” he disclosed.

According to him, Trinity towers building stands out amid its contemporaries in the aspects of having the best parking ratio of 1:33square metres, air, water, and land accessibility, high lift square meterage, which boasts of 14 lifts in the building, well-appointed retail shops on the ground and upper floors, making the complex a one-stop for work, leisure and play.

Interestingly, the building is also an engineering feat by ITB, a building and civil engineering firm and the main contractor; having a transfer beam at the ceiling of the 4th floor, which carries all floors sitting on only that beam without pillars.

Also, the building takes pride in several other features such as a multi-storey car park on split levels for approximately 673 cars, gymnasium and wellness centre, medical centre, recreation zone, ATM gallery, 4,500 seater concert hall, rooftop terrace, helipad, automated and integrated lighting, sound and video system, electric car chargers and smart access control, tenant-dedicated external garden terraces protected by a lattice framework among others.

Olaniyan said: “As a building that offers prestige and value, key companies in Nigeria and beyond have started taking the commercial spaces even during the early construction stage. Currently, the building offers short and long leases on the available commercial spaces, A-class restaurant and food court.

Roadside fuel dealer sets ablaze 200-level Akwa Ibom varsity student

There was a palpable panic in Udo Idiong Junction in Obio Okpa campus of the Akwa Ibom State University, OrukAnam local government area of the state, as a roadside petrol dealer on Sunday set ablaze one Enwongo Akpan, a 200-level philosophy student of the institution, over a minor disagreement.

It was gathered that trouble started when the student unknowingly bought adulterated fuel of N500 only from the dealer who is now on the run.

The victim returned the adulterated fuel to the dealer after he emptied the content into his generating set tank but the engine did not ignite.

An eyewitness, Idongesit Akpan, told newsmen on Monday that in the ensuing argument, the dealer made for the petrol gallon and poured its content on the victim and struck a match on him before he caught fire while others scampered for safety .

Akpan further stated that the victim was rescued by the villagers and students who alerted the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Nse Essien who ordered that the victim be rushed to Mercy Hospital in Abak, where he received treatment before being transferred to another hospital in Uyo, the state capital.

Akpan said, “The incident attracted attention of community leaders such as former Chairman of OrukAnam, Prince Ubong Idiong, who prevailed on students to forestall reprisal action by students of the University .

“The victim was later transferred to another hospital in Uyo for better treatment.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Akwa Ibom State Police command, Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the incident said the Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Dorusinmi, has ordered investigation into the matter, adding that the suspect would soon be arrested.

He said, “Yes, we are aware of the incident. But the suspect escaped from the scene. Police are trailing the suspect now and he will soon be brought to book.”

Source: The PUNCH

Osun 2022: Gunmen attack LP candidate’s residence

Some yet-to-be-identified people bearing arms have reportedly attacked the residence of the former deputy speaker of House or Representatives and Labour Party candidate for the July 16 Osun governorship poll, Hon. Lasun Yusuf.

Wole Oladimeji, the media aide to Lasun Yusuff, who confirmed the attack, said the ex-lawmaker and members of his family, who had returned to Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun state to celebrate the Eid Kabir festival were all in the house when the attackers struck in the early hours of Monday.

According to him, when the attackers could not gain entrance into the building, they fired shots from outside the premises, aiming at the upper floor of the storey building where bedrooms are, and shattered the aluminum windows.

Oladimeji also said Lasun and some members of his family were inside when the attack took place, but no casualty was recorded.

“It is true. My principal is already working on informing security agents of the development. He was in the house with members of his family. But no one was injured. 

“They fired into the upper floor of the storey building where bedrooms are because they could not gain entrance into the building,” Oladimeji said.

Borno CAN chairman supports Shettima's VP candidacy

The Chairman of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, Bishop Mohammed Naga, has applauded the choice of the former governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the vice-presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Primerosenews had earlier reported that despite opposition to the Muslim-Muslim ticket from some quarters, the APC standard-bearer, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, announced Shettima as his running mate.

But in what seems like great support for Shettima’s candidacy from a group outside his religion, the Borno chapter of CAN led by its chairman welcomed the selection of the former governor as Tinubu’s running mate.

Bishop Naga, in a statement on Monday, said the Christian community in Borno State has never had a better deal than under Shettima who governed the state between 2011 and 2019.

Naga, who described Shettima as a compassionate leader, said: “My brothers, those who are not from Borno State may not know, but you and I know better. In the history of Borno State, there is no Governor that has been fair to the Christian Community in this state as much as Governor Kashim Shettima. I am saying this in the presence of God Almighty and this is nothing but the truth. Governor Shettima, in the history of Borno, is the only Governor that has sponsored the highest number of Christian Pilgrims every year since 2011.

“I am speaking boldly without fear or favour because as CAN Chairman I do not receive salary or kobo from the Government or any institution, but the facts need to be told. This Governor has shown compassion to the Christian Community.

“For example, when Gwoza people were driven from their ancestral homes, they fled to Maiduguri, and the Governor personally came to CAN Centre in Jerusalem ward two times in June and July 2014. He gave N10 million for their upkeep at first instance, but the victims were not many. By the end of October 2014, the IDPs from Gwoza increased to 42,000 in that camp alone. Governor Shettima came again and gave another N10 million. He also gave an additional N5 million to Christians from Borno who fled to Cameroon to be returned home.

“He gave another N5 million to non-indigenes who fled to Cameroon to come back to Nigeria.

“The Governor even directed the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA to be supplying food directly to the IDPs under the Christian leadership. In fact, the Governor insisted that he wanted Christian IDPs to stay together with their Muslim counterparts in various designated IDP camps here in Maiduguri but we the leaders felt it wise to separate Christian IDPs to avoid friction between displaced persons dealing with trauma.

“Sincerely speaking as a Christian and a preacher, absolutely I have nothing to fear about Asiwaju’s picking a Muslim as his running mate because he’s not a religious bigot and I’m happy he has made his mind known to the public in the person of his preferred running mate.

“Seeing another Presidential candidate applauding him is a plus for him and supporters of Asiwaju.

Congratulations to the awaiting president and vice president,” Naga  concluded.

Source: The PUNCH

Court orders remand of Nigerian billionaire linked to Kyari drug deal

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Friday, remanded a Nigerian billionaire, Ukatu Mallinson, who was linked to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari’s alleged N3bn hard drug in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services.

Justice Peter Lifu ordered the remand of Mallinson alongside his accomplice, Sunday Ibekwute.

The judge remanded the two defendants after they pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

They are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, trafficking of 322 Kg of Tramadol and unlawful dealing and possession of the said banned drug levelled against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

In the charge marked FHC/L/159c/2021, the NDLEA prosecutor, Mrs Theresa Asuquo, alleged that Mallinson and Ibekwute and one Pius Enidom, who jumped bail, on May 4, 2021, conspired among themselves to commit the alleged offence.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed contravened Sections 14(b); 11 and 11(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

The PUNCH reported that their counsel, Mr Emeka Opara (SAN), while moving their bail application, urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor opposed the bail application.

Justice Lifu, however, adjourned the matter till July 18, for ruling on the bail applications and ordered that the two defendants be remanded in NCoS’ custody.

The judge also issued a bench warrant against Pius Enidom, who had jumped bail.

Gombe to employ 440 health workers

Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the recruitment of 440 health workers in the state.

A statement by the Chairman, Committee for Human Resource for Health (recruitment), Dr. James Madi, who conveyed the approval of the governor on Sunday, confirmed that the 440 officers were expected to be skilled health workers.

He revealed that the recruits would be deployed to the various primary health facilities in the 11 Local Government Areas.

Madi said the development was in line with Yahaya’s health sector reforms plan (2019- 2023) in the state, adding that it would improve healthcare services in the state.

The statement partly read, “The recruitment is informed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s resolve to address the chronic shortage of skilled health workers needed to provide the basic minimum package of health services, especially at the primary level which is the foundation of the health system.”

Madi added that the employment was in collaboration with the Primary Healthcare Development and a partner organisation, stressing that it would boost delivery across facilities in the state.

“Accordingly, the Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation GAVI,” the statement added.

Osun 2022: Widows declare support for Accord Party candidate

A group of widows, known as O-widow, has thrown weight behind the Accord Party governorship candidate, Akin Ogunbiyi, saying he is the only candidate who has the ability to turn things around in Osun State.

In a letter signed by three of its executive members – Mrs. Modupe Olawumi-Oyewole (Leader), Mrs. Oladunmomi Oseni and Mrs. Taibat Kasali, noted that Ogunbiyi’s manifesto clearly paved the way for good governance.

According to them, many of their late husbands were retirees who were not paid their entitlements until death, leaving them lonely and wallowing in abject poverty.

The letter reads: “We have carefully studied the manifesto of all the candidates and we can see clearly that only the Accord candidate has something good to offer our women.

“Two of these programmes are the plan to give women interest-free loans, and the plan to pay gratuities of all retired public servants between six and nine months. For this reason, about 1,500 of our members across the state are in one accord to vote for Accord party. We are also mobilising across the state, and we are sure Dr. Ogunbiyi will win the election.”

O-widow pledged they will resist and pray against anyone who plans to cause trouble during the election, and advised the people to shun ‘blood money’ to be shared by some politicians before and during the election.

Osun 2022: APC will record landslide victory – Oyetola

The All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in the July 16 election and the incumbent governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola has said that victory for the All Progressives Congress in the July 16 governorship election in the state would enable him to consolidate on the achievements he had so far recorded since assuming leadership of the state.

The governor also expressed optimism that from all indications, APC would record a landslide victory in the poll.

Oyetola said this during a meeting with the Osun chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), on Sunday in Osogbo.

Governor Oyetola who spoke through his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, appealed to electorate not to be deceived by desperate politicians.

He noted that he had been serving the state diligently since the beginning of his administration, saying those who lacked administrative capacity must not be allowed to truncate the development the state is currently witnessing.

Oyetola also appealed to the electorate to resist the temptation of selling their votes, adding that they should not allow those who have declared to win the election with dollars and euros, disrupt steady growth Osun is recording.

“My desire is to win the July 16 election with a wide margin. The electorate are on my side, my achievements are there to speak for me and God is willing to crown my efforts.

“I want to appeal to the electorate to resist the temptation of selling their votes to desperate politicians.

“Osun is not for sale, neither are the people of the state for sale. Those who are bragging around with dollars to win the election have nothing to offer,” he said.

The governor also warned politicians against involvement in violence, adding that the election should not be seen as a do-or-die affair.

Oyetola said that anyone caught perpetrating violence before, during and after the election will be dealt with in line with the law.

The governor, however, pledged that his administration would continue to support the farmers with necessary farm inputs and implements.

Osun 2022: IGP deploys DIG, four AIGs, redeploys CP

The Inspector-General of Police,  Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the deployment of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department and the supervisory DIG for the South-West Geo-Political Zone, DIG Johnson Kokumo,  for the Osun State governorship election.

Also deployed to the state are; 4 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, 4 Commissioners of Police, 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police, and 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police.

The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, said adequate police personnel of the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police and below have equally been deployed for the election.

He also announced that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, who had been enmeshed in controversies has been temporarily moved to the Force Headquarters until the conclusion of the election.

The statement added, “DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law-abiding citizens in the state of a secured space to freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation. Other Senior Officers deployed are tasked with coordinating human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts; 30 Local Government Areas and the 3,753 polling units in Osun State.

“The IGP ordered the deployment of the Commissioner of Police and Provost Marshall at the Force Headquarters, CP Julius Alawari to Osun State for the election, while CP Olokode  Olawale, the Osun State Commissioner of Police has been temporarily moved to the Force Headquarters until the conclusion of the election.”

Adejobi also said five Armored Personnel Carriers for patrol as well as three helicopters and six Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for aerial surveillance among other operational assets had been deployed.

He stated that deployments are part of actions aimed at creating an enabling environment that would guarantee peaceful election in Osun.

Adejobi said, “The IGP further noted that the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit, Police Airwing, Public Relations Department, as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election.”

He said the IGP  is scheduled to meet with stakeholders in Osogbo on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

Source: The PUNCH

Okorocha accuses Imo govt of auctioning his personal cars

A former governor of Imo State and senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, has accused the Hope Uzodinma led-government in the state of auctioning his private vehicles, those belonging to his aides and Rochas Foundation Colleges.

Okorocha, in a statement issued in Owerri, on Sunday, on his behalf by his spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, accused governor Uzodinma of engaging in tyranny.

The statement disclosed that the vehicles in question were impounded on February 21, 2021, at Royal Spring Palm Estate in Owerri, when Okorocha, his aides and government officials clashed at the estate, which led to the arrest of the former governor.

The statement said that they had evidence that the state government had begun the auctioning of the vehicles, including bank payments.

Part of the statement read, “Okorocha was taken to the Police Headquarters to meet with the CP, according to the police officers on the operation.

“Others arrested were detained for weeks before fourteen of them were arraigned at Magistrate Court 4 and charges levelled against them. They were granted bail after three sittings by the court and the matter has been going on.

“The expectation was that, the Police who carried out the operation, must have taken into custody, all the vehicles recovered at the scene of the attack or incident, including buses belonging to ROCHAS FOUNDATION COLLEGE, and taken them to the Police Headquarters and not to the Government House.

“Or, the cars would have been taken to the court, where some of the owners of the Cars recovered at the Hotel, have been standing trial, especially when the Vehicles may be tendered as exhibits in the course of the trial .

“Unfortunately, the vehicles were taken to the Government House and not to either the Police Headquarters or the Court where some of the owners of the Vehicles have been standing trial.

“The government has gone ahead to auction the private cars of the former governor of the state, those of his security personnel, those of his aides, political associates, those of Rochas Foundation College and so on, who were with him on the day the attack at Royal Palm Hotel took place. In doing that , they had thrown caution to the wind. And you ask, on what ground were the vehicles auctioned?

“ln all the cases involving Okorocha and the lmo State Government, including the one decided by Justice Njemanze (rtd), which is now at the Appeal Court, the government never mentioned Okorocha’s personal cars and those of his aides, associates, his security details, Rochas Foundation College, et al , for any reason. Why auctioning his vehicles and those of others?

“Aside these vehicles, there are valuable materials and documents in some of them, including lnternational Passports, and one had expected that the police would have taken all those items or materials and documents into their custody.

“And if the government could auction the private vehicles of the former governor and his aides and associates, it means they must have also shared the important materials and documents we are talking about among themselves.

“They must have also disposed of other assets with cases on them, either at the High court or the Appeal Court.”

When contacted for Imo state government’s reaction, the Commissioner for information and strategy, Declan Emelumba, said that Okorocha’s spokesperson was misleading the public.

Source: The PUNCH

Gunmen abduct Baptist Church women leader in Owerri

There was a palpable fear in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Sunday, after gunmen stormed First Baptist Church located on Wetheral Road, and abducted one of the women leaders, Biola Abeoye.

Mrs Abeoye is the wife of the General Manager of the Owerri Zoological Garden at Nekede.

One of the officials of the church, who wants to be anonymous because he was not authorised to speak, recalled that the daredevil suspects stormed the church in a Toyota vehicle.

He said the kidnappers waited till the church service came to an end before they struck.

The source noted that the manner the kidnappers operated showed that they came for the victim.

According to him, the suspects fired gunshots in the air, which pierced the walls of the church building, before they zoomed off with their victim.

He said “Some group of gun-wilding men operating in a camera Toyota vehicle came to our church premises and parked. At first we thought that they were security men, so we didn’t bother. They waited till the church service dismissed before they struck.

“They had somebody in their car who identified the woman before they forced her into their vehicle. They shot at our church building. It was so terrible. The woman is the wife of the General Manager of Imo Zoological Garden at Nekede. Her husband is out of the state. He travelled. We have reported the incident at the police station.”

The PUNCH reported that police spokesperson for the state, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to the incident at the time of filing the report.

Morocco 2022: Super Falcons beat Burundi 4-0 to secure quarter-finals with Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon

Cup holders Nigeria must overcome the challenge of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals, following the quarter-final pairings that emerged on Sunday night after the Super Falcons thrashed Burundi 4-0 in their final match of Group C.

The win took the champions to six points and five goals advantage, but South Africa’s 1-0 win over Botswana meant the Banyana Banyana finished on maximum nine points and topped the group, setting up a clash with Tunisia in the last eight.

Nigeria dominated the match and should have been ahead by two goals before Rasheedat Ajibade won and scored a penalty in the 25th minute after she was upended by onrushing goalkeeper Jeanine Irakoze.

Earlier, the very busy Ifeoma Onumonu shot over the sticks when clear on goal in the second minute and Peace Efih had an opportunity to rifle into the net four minutes later but opted to pass, which effort was cut off.

Four minutes after Ajibade scored from six yards, Peace Efih scored from a goalmouth melee after another dashing run and cross into the box by Ajibade.

Less than 60 seconds after, Nigeria were 3-0 up after Ajibade hugged the byeline and threaded the ball into the box for advancing Uchenna Kanu to hook into an empty net.

Kanu thought she had made it four in the 38th minute but her effort was ruled offside, and then came very close in the 40th and 43rd minutes only to miss from close range.

In the second half, the Falcons started the way they left off in the first period, with Ajibade lifting the ball into the box for Kanu to rifle past substitute goalkeeper Amissa Inarukundo with only 22 seconds gone.

The Falcons then took their feet off the pedal as the match puttered and petered out, even as Christy Ucheibe’s rasping drive was finger-tipped to the upright by Inarukundo in the 56th minute and Macleans Chinonyerem made a hash of a great pass from Gift Monday with five minutes left.

Tinubu wants Nigerians to place competence in governance above religious sentiment

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu has impressed on Nigerians to prioritise national growth and development above “religious sentiments”

He made this known on Sunday while he was given reasons for picking former Governor of Borno State, Kasim Shettima, as his running mate despite agitations against Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Primerosenews had earlier reported agitations against Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the Christian Association of Nigeria and some prominent Nigerians and other prominent Nigerians.

The Christian group, had on Sunday fumed that Christians lives and properties are not guaranteed under Muslim-Muslim government owing to the current killings of Christians in Nigeria even with a Pentecostal pastor as vice president.

But Tinubu explained that if Nigerians truly understood the challenges upon them, they would place competence in governance above religious sentiment.

He said Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that “he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all important electoral victory”.

The APC presidential candidate recalled that in 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in “one of our fairest elections ever held”.

“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023,” he added.

Part of the statement read, “I have never been an indecisive man and have no present intention to become one.

“Having now listened to the sage, careful advice of a broad section of the party and of the nation, there are a few points I feel I must make about the exceptional and extraordinary person with whom I will share the APC ticket and the principles of open and good governance that informed this choice.

“I am mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate. Just and noble people have talked to me about this. Some have counselled that I should select a Christian to please the Christian community. Other have said I should pick a Muslim to appeal to the Muslim community. Clearly, I cannot do both.

“Both sides of the debate have impressive reason and passionate arguments supporting their position. Both arguments are right in their own way. But neither is right in the way that Nigeria needs at the moment. As president, I hope to govern this nation toward uncommon progress. This will require innovation. It will require steps never before taken. It will also require decisions that are politically difficult and rare.

“If I am to be that type of President, I must begin by being that type of candidate. Let me make the bold and innovative decision not to win political points but to move the nation and our party’s campaign closer to the greatness that we were meant to achieve.

“Today, I announce my selection with pride because I have made it not based on religion or to please one community or the other. I made this choice because I believe this is the man who can help me bring the best governance to all Nigerians, period, regardless of their religious affiliation or considerations of ethnicity or region.

“May I say this to all of you, especially to those who will be disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I will not and cannot ignore the religious concerns and ethnic sensitivities of our people.

Taking them into due consideration is an important part of good and able governance. But religion, ethnicity and region cannot always and fully determine our path. To forge ahead as a nation toward development and prosperity, we must break free of old binds. We must recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter more than reductive demographics.”

Tinubu noted that he chose Shettima as his partner and running mate in a bid to advance and reclaim the fortunes of Nigeria and the hopes of its people.

He said, “Senator Kasim Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all important electoral victory, but, also, step into the shoes of the Vice President. As a man with the talent, maturity, strength of character, and patriotism he has my implicit confidence and faith.

“I am aware that many will continue focus on a particular detail, the question of his faith.

“However, if we truly understand the challenges upon us a nation, then we must also see the imperative of placing competence in governance above religious sentiment.

“In 1993, Nigerians embrace Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe in one of our fairest elections ever held.

“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023.

“As such, the ticket we present today represents a milestone in our political history. It symbolizes our party’s determination to be a leading light among political parties in Africa. “

Security of Christians’ lives are not guaranteed under a Muslim-Muslim govt – CAN fumes

The Christian Association of Nigeria has expressed displeasure on the selection of former governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu had during a visit to president Muhammadu Buhari in Daura on Sunday announced Shettima, a Muslim, as his running mate.

Before now, there had been warnings from CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Civil Society Organisations against fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, CAN’s spokesperson, Adebayo Oladeji, said making such a decision in a polarised country was a wrong move.

He stated that if having a pastor as the vice president of the country and Christian clerics and worshipers are being killed , the security of lives and properties of Christians under a Muslim-Muslim could not be guaranteed.

Oladeji, however, warned that Nigerians should be ready to face the consequences of their actions if they endorsed and vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He said, “We knew this was what he was going to do and we have warned against it. It is up to Nigerians to decide on what they want.

“You are all alive when we warned Buhari not to allow Muslims to dominate the security architecture of the country and he did it. I think we can see the way the criminals are operating with impunity.

“So, if Tinubu says he is opting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a polarised country like ours , if Nigerians endorse him and vote for him, whatever happens, Nigerians will face the consequences.

“If you have a government where a pastor is a vice president and pastors and worshipers are being killed you can imagine what will happen when we have a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“It is left to Nigerians to make their choice, let them vote them in and we will all face the consequences together.

“We are raising our alarm. It is an irony that Buhari they regarded as an extremist when we raised an alarm to warn him against a Muslim-Muslim ticket, he heeded and opted for a christian as his vice presidential candidate. ”

Landlords bemoan ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Onitsha

Some affected house owners in the ongoing demolition of illegal buildings in Onitsha, Anambra State have lamented and recounted their losses as the exercise continues.

The demolition, which began on Thursday, generated some ripples between the Pastor of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanemere, also known as Odumeje, and some members of the Anambra State Task Force in charge of the exercise.

Some members of the task force had a faceoff with the pastor as they demolished some parts of the church’s building that encroached on the water channel.

When our correspondent visited the area on Sunday, he observed that some portions of another church, St Dominic Catholic Church, had been touched.

The PUNCH gathered that the perimeter fence, toilet building and few other make-shift structures were pulled down by the task force.

However, the church building was not touched, but there is fear that the demolition will continue tomorrow, according to inside church sources.

When contacted, the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Evaristus Nwagbara, confirmed the demolition, saying, “They said that they would continue the demolition in the church premises tomorrow, being Monday.

“So, on Monday we will know what they are up to again, but some structures were touched already. Like the toilet, fence of the church and even that of the grotto.”

Another landlord in Bida Road, Fegge, who identified himself as Titus Oyendi, whose structure was also marked for demolition, expressed deep concern that the three months notice was too short as they were caught unawares.

Oyendi said his late father built the house for over 20 years ago and has since been living there with other tenants before he passed on.

He lamented that they paid huge sum of money to acquire the land and other necessary documentations, which, according to him, were given approval by an agency of government.

He urged the relevant agencies to look into the matter with a view to sanctioning the “government workers and agencies who gave the approval” in the first place.

Another affected landlord, Sunday Ijenwa, said no one could stop the government from carrying out the exercise as it was targeted towards developing and giving the area a modern look, but the government should consider those that might be rendered homeless and see what it could do about it.

Ijenwa urged the state government to look into the plight of those that might be displaced as a result of the “sudden” exercise.

“Although notices were served and meetings held, the three months notice was definitely too short. Since they have started the exercise, there is nothing one can do, we just wait till the end and see if there is anything left for us,” he added.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, said there was no compensation for illegal structures.

Five quick facts to know about APC vice presidential candidate, Shettima

Ex-Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima has been announced as the running mate of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

Below are five quick facts you should know about Shettima:

1. Shettima was born on September 2nd, 1966.

2. He is a two-term former governor of Borno State between 2011 and 2019 and serving senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Borno Central.

3. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maiduguri in Agricultural Economics and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.

4. Shettima was a banker, worked with the Commercial Bank of Africa as an Agricultural Economist at its Ikeja Office, Lagos State between 1993 and 19967 between he joined active politics.

5. He is married to Nana Shettima and they have three children: two females and a male.