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2023 Polls: PFN, Northern Christian Elders Kick Against Muslim/Muslim Ticket
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), yesterday, warned against the foisting of Muslim/Muslim ticket on the nation by any of the political parties eyeing the presidential seat in 2023, insisting that any political arrangement short of producing a Christian president for Nigeria would be unacceptable to the Christian populace.
The PFN President, Bishop Wale Oke, who is also the president of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, gave the warning at the grand finale of a 5-day Zoe World Congress tagged: ‘Zoe Worship Extravaganza’ held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
This is as a group, Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has described as insensitive and selfish, thoughts of fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket for presidency in the 2023 general election.
The group warned that such moves would be massively resisted.
Speaking at the event organised by his ministry, Oke described as evil and selfish, those behind the agenda of having a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket at the coming polls.
Though he said the PFN was not routing for any party, the cleric, however, maintained that any of the parties that does not factor in the interest of the Christian community in the country, would fail.
He said: “It is disturbing that with the 2023 general election fast approaching, some politicians who are hell-bent in further scuttling the fragile peace in the country are desperately seeking to foist a Muslim/Muslim political agenda on us, a development that will further throw unsavoury spanner into the works, fibre and the tenuous peace of the nation.
“Nigeria is a nation predominantly populated by Christians and Muslims. In fact, the PFN, which by the grace of God I head today, has membership strength of over 65million adherents of Jesus Christ. So, we vehemently say no to Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket; we say no to arrangement that will relegate the Christians to obscurity. This we shall resist by all available lawful means.
“We urge that we follow the routes already taken by the previous administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, so as to avoid the pitiable paths some are trying to tread for selfish reasons and aggrandisement.
“Anyone who is flying a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket is satanic and from the pit of hell. The Lord, God of hosts, will crush that satanic agenda. Any party that flies a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket has failed completely. In fact, it will not only fail, it will scatter.”
He prayed that those behind the plot would not succeed, adding; “It is only the will of God for Nigeria that shall prevail, not the satanic agenda of any corrupt, selfish, self-centred unpatriotic, evil politician who thinks he has enough money to buy up the South-West of Nigeria, and the whole of the nation.”
Besides, he said: “Nigeria belongs to all of us and it will only thrive when there’s fairness, equity and justice. This we are calling for in all our engagements in the country.
“If the two major political parties in the country field Muslim/Muslim candidates, they will both fail. What we want is a Christian president. Buhari must hand over to a Christian. Let everybody know that any arrangement short of that will be totally unacceptable to us. The 65millions strong members of PFN are vehemently opposed to any arrangement of that nature.”
He, however, prayed for peace in the country, imploring those itching to destroy it through their selfish pursuits and primordial sentiments, to have a rethink.
Similarly, a group, Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has described as insensitive and selfish, thoughts of fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket for presidency in the 2023 general election.
The group warned that such moves will be massively resisted.
This came as the Kaduna Integrity Group and five others, perfected arrangements in Kaduna to woo Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of the APC into the Presidential race in 2023, insisting that he was the perfect, potential president that would unite Nigeria.
NOSCEF, in a statement, signed by its Chairman, Engineer Ejoga Oyinehi Inalegwu, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday, said “the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) read with concerns the reported meeting of a frontline politician with some Northern elders, advocating a Muslim/Muslim ticket, if given the presidential ticket and many days after, the report has not been refuted.
“We wonder which Northern elders were in the said meeting. Let us recall the Abiola-Kingibe Muslim-Muslim ticket that won the election in a military imposed two-party system in 1993. Majority of Nigerians, including myself voted for that ticket because, a vote for that ticket was a vote for fairness, equity, justice and power rotation between North and South, South-East and North-East,” they said.
They submitted that at the previous election, Alhaji Shehu Shagari (North-West)/Dr. Ekwueme (South-East) ruled Nigeria and Abiola/Kingibe, therefore, meant power shifting between North and South and in the North, power shifting from North-West to North-East and in the South, from South-West to South-East.
“Remember there were no other alternatives since it was a two party system.
“Therefore, the same injustice, inequity, marginalisation that Nigerians fought against to vote a Muslim–Muslim ticket cannot now be promoted by voting same Muslim-Muslim or Christian- Christian ticket,” it said.
They explained that Nigerians in 1993, bent over backward to vote and affirm with one voice, that the ill of religious and regional differences were more tolerable than injustice, inequity and marginalisation.
“Northerners across religious lines voted for Abiola from the South, and expected thereafter that it would only be fair, for power to shift back to North-East or North-Central.
“The voting pattern re-echoed Fayemi’s saying that ‘unity cannot endure where injustice, marginalisation and inequity thrives’. It was a vote against injustice and marginalization,” they recalled.
NOSCEF said that it was deeply concerned about this kite being flown again.
“When we remember the speculated rift between Senator Bukola Saraki and the clique that had pressed in 2015 for a Buhari/Tinubu Muslim-Muslim ticket, which Saraki and many like-minded patriots had considered insensitive in the Nigerian state.
“Linking it with the North-West, would remind observing Nigerians, who have seen how a similar insensitivity has deepened the divide and mistrust in the North-West state,” they pointed out.
The group said that they had identified with the president in his call for unity, and therefore, condemn in strong terms, any move that will further aggravate the lines of divide for selfish political gains at the expense of a peaceful and united Nigeria.
“We appeal to all Nigerians across party, regional, ethnic and religious divides to rise up and mobilise the citizenship against any inconsiderate politician or political grouping, seeking to promote exclusion and marginalisation of any section of our country.
“Those that do not wish Nigeria well have no business seeking its leadership,” they warned.
They added that such politicians will make every attempt to manipulate Nigerians as a people, through double talks and deceit but, “we trust that God who put us together for a great nation, will defeat them in all their antics/craftiness and bring to pass the expectations of true and patriotic Nigerians seeking a truly united and prosperous Nigeria.”
They, therefore, tasked Nigerians to pray that anyone who plans to rise to power in Nigeria, by fuelling the embers of discrimination, using the instrumentation of religious ethnic differences will fail, because God is greater and wiser than any manipulation of man.
“NOSCEF being mindful of the various crisis that has bedevilled our nation to date calls on all Nigerians to be vigilante and prepared to defeat the enemies to our peaceful co-existence without regard to party affiliation and persuasion.
“Remember that loyalty to the nation Nigeria, ranks far above loyalty to any party.
“The nation is in dire need of a selfless, considerate, sensitive, honest, transparent leader who will unite, bind, and heal the wounds that have posed a great danger to our corporate existence as a nation, integrate and foster lasting bonds of unity of our dear country.
“We need politicians across party lines and all peace loving Nigerians across religious, regional and ethnic divides to reject politicians sowing seeds of further polarization and work for/align with inclusiveness, unity, equity, fairness, justice.
“This might even entail going against regional and party affiliations to drive home the point that power is giving in trust for the good of the people not for self-centred ambition.
“Anyone that is seeking the highest political office of the land at the expense of the peace the nation and building of tolerance amongst the diversity of our country cannot lay claim to being a patriot and would, therefore, have no business being encouraged or voted to such a position.
“NOSCEF enjoins Nigerians to continue to pray for our country,” it concluded.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.