Category: Politics

Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, a fiery Enugu Catholic Priest, has apologised and prayed for Labour Party Presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, saying he can never be Nigeria’s President.

Mbaka apologised after declaring that Peter Obi could never be President of Nigeria.

He recently stated at the Adoration Ground that unless God ceases to exist, Obi will never smell the President’s seat, adding that it was preferable to have an old man as President than a’stingy young man.’

Nigerians reacted angrily to the Catholic priest’s remark, accusing him of hating Peter Obi because he refused to donate to his church.

The cleric, however, stated in a statement that he personally signed that his intention was not to defame His Excellency, Peter Obi’s image, but rather to pray for him.

Read Also:  2022: Be neutral, don’t set Ekiti on fire – Segun Oni warns politicians, Police

As a result, he expressed regret to Peter Obi and his supporters and prayed that God would bless them.

“I thank God for His incalculable and favourable blessings, miracles, love, and life for the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Nigeria.

I assure God’s people and Nigerians that I am praying for good governance and leadership in this country, and that God will provide us with leaders who are true to His heart.

“As things stand, Nigeria is facing indescribable insecurity challenges, an incalculable unemployment crisis, massive corruption, heinous crimes, and unfathomable suffering brought on by bad leadership.” I bear with my countrymen and women through whatever we are going through at this difficult time. I implore the adorers and God’s entire people to join hands in praying that God will deliver us from the devil’s and his agents’ schemes.

“I am a servant of God, and my goal is not to defame His Excellency, Peter Obi’s image, but to pray for him.” May the will of God be done in his life. I pray to God, whom I serve, for good and excellent leaders to care for our beloved people and lead them to the promised land. My preference is for whoever God chooses to be our leader. In this vein, I extend my best wishes to His Excellency Peter Obi and his supporters, as well as to the other candidates and their supporters, all of whom have the same goal of providing Nigeria with good leaders. If my remarks have offended Mr Peter Obi’s supporters in any way, or if I have been misunderstood by them in any way, I ask for their forgiveness and understanding.

“As a servant of the Most High God, I pray for my people’s well-being. I believe in good governance, justice, equity, love, and godliness. I pray for peace, love, and anything that will bring blessings and favour to our people and our suffering teaming youths at this time when our people are passing through the valleys of shadows of death (Ps23.4). In all of your trials, I will always be there for you. God will take care of you and miraculously bless you for my sake.

“I have no intention of fighting or slandering Mr. Peter Obi. He is and will continue to be my friend and brother, and I adore him and wish him success. May God bless him and his well-wishers. In his political pursuits, God’s will be done. (Mk.14:36)

“I am praying for, sacrificing for, fighting for, speaking for, and working for the integral well-being of Peter Obi’s followers.” What the youths are going through and their circumstances give me nightmares. This is why I yearn for good governance and capable leaders to look after them. In this country, we are experiencing indescribable, unbearable, and undeserved hardship. I ask for God’s help.

“I’m not a member of any political party, but I believe in good governance and good people.” Any good person that God can provide for us is my candidate of choice. I am a servant of God, and I ask for forgiveness in any way that I have been misunderstood for the sake of peace. I also pray for God to bless Peter Obi and make his will known in his life. Who can argue with God’s yes? And who can say Yes when God says No? I wish Peter Obi the best and pray for him. I bless and pray for my dear Adores. I bless God’s people all over the world, and I pray that all goes well for you.

Read Also:  Southern, Middle Belt leaders reject Okowa’s emergence as Atiku’s running mate.

“There will be no all-night Adoration programme today, 17th June 2022, for those who were gruesomely killed on Pentecost Sunday at St. Francis Xavier parish Owo, Ondo State, and who are being buried today.” We join the rest of the Catholic Church in mourning their passing. May their souls, as well as the souls of the faithful departed, rest in perfect peace thanks to God’s mercy. Amen.”

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has rejected Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s nomination as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the upcoming 2023 general elections.

Chief Edwin Clark, for the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere; Dr. Dru Bitrus, President-General, Middle Belt Forum; and Prof. George Obiozor, President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide signed a statement.

“It bears recalling that on May 11, 2021, the 17 governors of Nigeria’s Southern states, both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), met in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, under the Chairmanship of Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and took far-reaching decisions, including that, based on the principles of fairness, equity, and justice, the presidency should rotate to the South at

Read Also:  Tension in Zamfara as a result of planned shutdown of telecommunications network

“And Governor Okowa, himself, was the host of that historic meeting. The Southern governors met again on July 5 in Lagos to reaffirm their decision, and on September 16 in Enugu to restate the call for the presidency to rotate to the South in 2023.

“It is inexcusable and disheartening that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the current Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and a native of Owa-Alero in Delta State’s Ika North-East Local Government Area (one of the Igbo-speaking areas), would show such blatant unreliability.

“It is therefore most unfortunate that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State, who should have known better, accepted his appointment as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.” We have no personal grudges against Ifeanyi Okowa, but his actions are treacherous and amount to a despicable pawning of the people of Southern Nigeria’s political future.

“Governor Okowa has betrayed the trust that his colleagues, the southern governors, the entire good people of southern Nigeria, and all well-meaning Nigerians, had placed in him.” He has made himself a persona non grata not only among SMBLF members, but also among all citizens who value our unity and wish for a more united and peaceful Nigeria.”

Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo State, has congratulated Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, on his selection as the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.
Ihedioha characterised Okowa as a “distinguished, dedicated, disciplined, and determined party man” who will contribute significantly to the PDP president.

In the general elections of 2023, he urged party members to back Atiku Abubakar and Okowa’s presidential bids.

“On behalf of the leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Imo State, I congratulate my friend and brother, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on his meritorious nomination as our great party’s Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections,” Ihedioha wrote in a series of tweets.

Read Also:  Ekiti 2022: INEC Begin Distribution Of Sensitive Materials To Area Councils

“This is the result of my conviction that Governor Okowa is a very distinguished, loyal, disciplined, and committed party man who, given his well-recognized, rich legislative and executive pedigree spanning several years in our country, will add great value to and complement the presidential ticket.”

“He will not only balance the ticket, but also serve as a partner to His Excellency Alh. Atiku Abubakar GCON, the PDP presidential candidate, who is very experienced, intelligent, prepared, and a great unifier.”

The Delta State Government has stated that Igbo-speaking Nigerians in the South East should be pleased with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s selection as the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s running mate (PDP).
According to reports, this was said by Patrick Ukah, Secretary to the Delta State Government, during an interview.

Because Okowa is from Delta’s Igbo-speaking region, he believes the Southeast will benefit greatly if he becomes Vice President.

If Atiku wins the presidential election on February 25, he believes Okowa “would be a very powerful representation of the South East” in Atiku’s administration.

“I don’t want to believe that will be a problem. I was the Secretary-General of Oganihu-Anioma, the professional arm of the Igbo-speaking Deltans, before entering government.

Read Also: Ekiti 2022: INEC Begin Distribution Of Sensitive Materials To Area Councils

“Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s father was a key figure in the Anioma movement, and Anioma is the Igbo-speaking region of Delta State, where Okowa was born.

“So, if someone makes a statement now claiming that Okowa is not a member of them, that would be really harmful to the body polity because I feel we are all one.” If Okowa is from the Igbo-speaking section of Delta State, Anioma, which is an Igbo-speaking region of Nigeria, an ordinary Igbo guy should be glad to see Okowa as Vice President, and I do not feel that this would be an issue since throughout the years.

“Even when we worked with folks like Ogbonnaya Onu and others, we always contended that this Bendel-Igbo and Anambra-Igbo language would not be appropriate for us because we are seeking for a number, and we represent that number across the Niger.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing sensitive materials across Ekiti State area councils ahead of the state’s gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday.
Electoral officers for the state’s 16 local government districts were escorted by security agents on Thursday for the safe distribution of sensitive materials as voters prepare to vote for a new leader.

In the presence of media and party representatives, the materials were distributed at the INEC state headquarters in Ado-Ekiti.

Dr. Adeniran Tella, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, told journalists that electoral officials are expected to be early at their designated councils on time so that they can be dispatched to assigned polling units before Saturday morning.

He expressed the expectation that materials would arrive on time to polling stations on Saturday. Dr. Tella explained that in order to prevent electoral fraud, each local government’s ballot papers were color-coded.

Read Also:  Covid-19: Chinese Mainland Confirms 54 New Cases

He also mentioned that the result sheets were tailored to the polling stations.

Mr Kayode Babade of the APC, Mr Kehinde Adeniyi of the ADC, and Mr Ifedayo Iyaniwura of the IPAC in Ekiti State praised INEC for the transparent manner in which the materials were provided.

Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BIVAS machines, ballot papers, result sheets, booklets, and other materials were given. Forms EC 8A, B, C, D, E, EC 4zero G, 4 zero G1 and 2, EC 4zero G1 and 2.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an Igbo socio-cultural organisation, claimed on Thursday that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has given politics in Nigeria a new dimension.
Damian Okeke-Ogene, the Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, revealed this on Thursday in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area.

Okeke-Ogene remarked, “Obi stands for those who wish to enthrone a new political and social order that would end the recycling of leadership,” while speaking to the executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State chapter in his hometown.

He also expressed disappointment for the South-East governors’ failure to establish a united front in both the PDP and the APC on the election of a candidate.

“The unexpected emergence of Mr Peter Obi as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate has added a new dimension to Nigeria politics,” Okeke-Ogene stated.

Read Also:  Boko Haram terrorists and their family members surrender to troops in North-East

“He is a contender who has received widespread national and international support.” This is not due to the fact that the president is of Igbo descent or that the presidency is rotated, nor is it due to ethnic or religious considerations. Rather, it is because of Obi’s support for people who want to establish a new political and social order that will put an end to the leadership cycle that has become a burden for Nigerians.

“His rise has sparked a mass movement that will have a comparable, if not greater, impact than the End SARS Protest, since people perceive in him a candidate who can build a new Nigeria by defending progressive ideology that is not dependent on tribe, religion, or political leaning.”

“The political establishment in the South-east thwarted Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s efforts to champion Igbo extraction for the presidency.

“It’s unfortunate to observe that all of the delegates at the conventions were more or less controlled by the leadership of their respective political parties, which was reflected in their voting patterns and was a slap in the face to the South East’s aspirations.”

Nigerians have slammed Rev Father Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, for claiming that Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, will not win the 2023 Presidential election.
According to reports, the cleric said this on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, during a prayer service at his prayer hall.

While speaking to his members, Mbaka stated that Obi would not be elected President of Nigeria in 2023 because he lacks the spirit of generosity.

“It is preferable to have a president who is a gifted old man than a young man with ‘gum’ hands,” the cleric said.

He went on to say that Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, has demonstrated that he is ready to run for office by declining to run alongside Obi in 2023.

Mbaka claims that Obi will only win the upcoming presidential election if he kneels at the Adoration altar.

“Peter Obi has a mouthful; he has nowhere to go unless he kneels on the Adoration altar,” the cleric continued.

Nigerians slammed the reverend father, calling him a charlatan for accusing Peter Obi of being stingy with his donations to the church without a project.

They went on to tell the priest that he should concentrate on God’s work and not on politics.

“Anuofia, shebi, it is Buhari who is generous now, look at nigeria,” phizbarz wrote. Christians were slaughtered as if they were chicken upandan. If you follow all of these religious leaders na bush, you’ll discover that it’s all about personal gain for them.”

“Generous men have brought us to this point,” wrote stardocofficial_. Let’s see if we can find a stingy man.”

“If being prudent in the management of public resources equals stinginess, then I support PO; this is the kind of man we need to govern us,” hardewuzy wrote. “Frugality” and “stinginess” are not the same thing.

‘An IGBO man saying this about an IGBO, y’all need to unite for real, a Hausa man will not come out to castigate and Hausa man like this, I sad’, wrote la catchiii.

“Because he didn’t donate money to your church,” nonye okelue wrote. What criteria did you use to label him as stingy, Ndi Uka? #Afulefu” Onye igbo Ibe gi.

“Fr. Mbaka Zukwanuike,” iam jenny.c wrote. Respect your Priesthood and focus on the Lord’s work, which God has entrusted to you. Allow Politics to leave you and you to allow Politics to leave you. It’s bad to have too much of anything.”

‘Lord save us from religion,’ pejuamadi wrote. After displaying such inconstancy over the last few years, someone like this should normally have no single audience.’

‘So stingy in what way?’ wrote trixie hair dynasty. If it wasn’t for the fact that I respect priesthood, I’d keep my mouth shut.’

cliff courage wrote, ‘After endorsing Buhari and causing this mess. Mbaka, you will not be forgiven by God.’

Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday after losing the party’s presidential nomination.
In a letter to the party’s National Chairman, Okey Nwosu, Moghalu announced his decision to resign his membership.

It was previously reported that Moghalu had lost his bid to run for president in 2023 to Dumebi Kachikwu, the founder of Roots Television.

While stating his reasons for leaving the party, the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria cited a lack of transparency in the party’s presidential primary.

Read Also: We lost the battle, not the war – Osinbajo on losing the APC ticket to Tinubu in 2023

“I am writing to resign from my membership in the African Democratic Congress, effective immediately,” the letter reads. I resigned because the process and conduct of the party’s presidential primary on June 8, 2022, in Abeokuta revealed a fundamental value clash between me and the party’s leadership.

“Despite the circular you issued to the primary a few days ago committing the party to provide transportation and lodging for delegates to and from Abeokuta, which we agreed would provide a level playing field for all presidential aspirants, the party under your leadership failed to do so.”

“Some aspirants, including myself, donated to the ADC party account for this purpose, as requested by the party.” This failure, which appeared to be deliberate, allowed for widespread electoral abuses such as delegate capture and financial inducement of delegates.

“This is just one of the many inconsistencies and lack of transparency and predictability in the party’s management that I had been complaining about.”

“As you know, I have consistently refused to join the APC or the PDP in order to avoid “cash-and-carry” politics. To remain a member of the ADC after the events in Abeokuta involving thousands of party members would be to endorse political corruption of the most heinous kind.

Read Also:  Three Military Officers slump at Eagle Square Parade During Democracy Day Parade

“I joined the ADC with the best of intentions in October 2021. Since then, I’ve dedicated my entire team to growing and improving the party, including increasing the party’s visibility across all media platforms, recruiting over 10,000 new members, and providing new offices for various state chapters at my own expense.

“It is deeply regrettable that other incentives appear to have played a larger role in determining the primary’s outcome than party loyalty.”

Following his defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary to former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo claimed he had lost the battle but not the war.

Osinbajo, on the other hand, reiterated that he is still dedicated to the vision of a new Nigeria.

On Friday, he said this at The Progressive Project’s (TPP) campaign office in Abuja.

The Vice President also stated that he will vote for Tinubu in the upcoming election.

“This is a movement within a party as well; we aren’t doing anything that hasn’t been done before.”

“What’s new is that we have a clear sense that a new Nigeria is possible, and that it can be achieved through the efforts of those of us who are here.

Read Also:  Mixed reactions trail killing of 32 residents, burning of houses by terrorists

“We went to the convention, and the results clearly revealed that we had lost, but this was merely a fight, not a war.” Although there may be battles ahead, we will prevail in the war for a new Nigeria. I am confident that we will win the war for a new Nigeria.

“As a result, our campaign for a new Nigeria must stay steadfast and robust.” And we will do everything in our power to maintain our movement strong and stable,” Osinbajo stated.

“The desire of a new country remains alive and well,” he continued. We’ll keep in mind that what you’ve started in numerous movements, combining into one, is the seed that will give life to a new nation. We both know the time has come, and we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.”

Former Governor of Ogun State and All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Ibikunle Amosun has resigned to make way for the party’s national leader, Bola Tinubu.
This was stated by the senator representing Ogun Central senatorial district while addressing delegates at the ruling party’s ongoing presidential primary.

Amosun, who outlined the obstacles to Nigeria’s progress, pledged to collaborate with Tinubu to address the issues plaguing the country.

More details to follow…

The Lagos State chapter of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) held senatorial primaries in all three senatorial districts of the state.

The monitored primary elections were held in Ikorodu for Lagos East; 28 Bishop Crowther Street in Surulere for Lagos Central; and Alimosho, 91, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Pako Bus-Stop, off Iyana Ipaja for Lagos West Senatorial zone.

Mr Ralph Iloke for Lagos Central, Mr Lawal Nurudeen for Lagos East, and Hon Mustapha Oladapo Dabiri for Lagos West were the unanimous candidates.
Chief Adisa Falade, the State Chairman, congratulated all the candidates and promised them full support before, during, and after the 2023 general elections.

Read Also:  PDP aspirants in Lagos seek fresh Assembly primaries

The election was observed by INEC officials, security agents, and several journalists.

The party’s presidential candidate, Engr Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was ably represented by Dr. Abubakre, who delivered his good will message, while the former State Chairman, Mallam Shakirudeen Olamilekan Olofin, urged party supporters to use the window opened by the INEC to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the exercise closed on June 30, 2022.

Mr Sheriff Oladejo, the party’s State Secretary, promised that the candidates’ campaigns would be widely publicised in both traditional and social media.

Mr Richard Benson was the Returning Officer for Lagos Central, and Favour Bernard was the Secretary. Mr Abudulhakeem Onimago was the Returning Officer for Lagos East, and Mr Rasheed Dada was the Secretary.

Barrister Ruth Arukwe was the Returning Officer for Lagos West, and Mr Ajiboye, the secretary of the NNPP Alimosho local government chapter, was the Secretary, Electoral Committee.