Politics
Group Wants Religious Leaders, Others To Shun Politics
A forum of religious leaders and traditional rulers under the aegis of Community Life Project has urged pastors and Imams to shun partisanship as the nation approaches the general elections.
The group made the call at a High-level Religious Leaders Forum on the Responsibility of Religious Leaders, Faith communities in the forthcoming elections in Abuja.
Secretary General, Jamaátu Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Aliyu, said that the call was imperative because most of the electoral issues were borne out of the selfish desires of religious leaders who took sides.
“I urge pastors and Imams to be true servants of God and not accidental ones or quacks ,you cannot be what you are not.
“If you are looking for money just go and do business and allow religious people to do their thing, be true religious leaders through devotion, worship and an exemplary leadership.
“Shy away from the demon of materialism because a lot of the religious leaders are only there based on what they will get ,but I urge you to be good examples to your followers,’’ Aliyu said.
He called on candidates to play the game according to the rules and take it easy by imbibing global best practice without rancour and violence.
Founder, Lux Terra Foundation, Rev. George Ehusani, called on the Federal Government to deploy every instrument to make sure that everyone complied with the electoral law to ensure fair play during the forthcoming polls.
He also urged religious leaders to train, retrain and talk to their followers on voter education and to shun social vices that could destroy the country.
He also urged them to be true spiritual leaders and not to be partisan.
The Agabe of Gwagwalada in Kuje Area Council, Alhaji Hussaini Mam, described the meeting as apt.
Mam advised the people to vote for credible candidates and avoid selling their votes.
Ms Ngozi Iwere, Executive Director, CLP, said the event was organised under the group’s ReclaimNiaja project, to bring the faith communities and traditional rulers to chart the way for peaceful elections.
Iwere said that it was high time for the leaders to be awakened to their responsibility of talking to their followers on doing the right thing.
“If you notice, there is a lot of ethno-religious tension going around and a lot of divisive messages and we think that religious leaders can curb it.
“It is their responsibility to take a stand and help to promote violence-free and fair elections.”
Community Life Project is committed to promoting citizens participation in electoral transparency, accountability and good governance.
Angela Atabo
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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