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Group Wants Religious Leaders, Others To Shun Politics

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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

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Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”

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Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

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Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings

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The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.

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