Politics
Kaduna CAN Disowns Fake Letter Over Governorship Election
The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has alerted the Nigeria Police Force and the public, especially residents of the State, on a fake letter in circulation purportedly written by the association regarding the forthcoming governorship election in the State.
A disclaimer issued by the State CAN secretary, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, yesterday, called on the Police to unravel the mystery about the letter and investigate the source in order to bring the authors, who impersonated the CAN leadership, to book.
“The attention of the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter has been drawn to a fake letter circulating on Social Media and other platforms in the name of CAN pretending that the letter was written and signed by the CAN Chairman, Rev Joseph John Hayab.
“CAN want the public to note the following: The letterhead with the fake press statement is a counterfeit with a made-up office address, and fake stories, and carries a fabricated signature of the Chairman.
“In CAN’s constitution, it was the duty of the CAN Secretary to write letters for circulation and not the Chairman.
“The wording of the letter is not from CAN
This letter disclaiming the fake letter is on CAN’s original letterhead which is different from the counterfeit letter. The said meeting and oath-taking mentioned in the fake letter only exist in the wildest imagination of the writer and are false.
“Accordingly, the firm position of CAN Kaduna state on the fake letter is that: Christians and the general public should kindly disregard the fake letter as it is the handy work of mischief makers desperate to fuel a crisis between Muslims and Christians in the state.
“CAN request the police to investigate the source of the fake letter and bring the impersonator(s) to face the full wrath of the law
“CAN understand that the authors of the false press statement are desperate and they aim to confuse the electorate in the state who are resilient to choose whom they want to be the next governor.
“CAN thanks the Christendom and the general public in the state for their resolve to vote in leaders with a willingness to work for unity and peace ensuring equity and justice, regardless of religious or ethnic background and calls on all eligible voters to come out en mass to during the gubernatorial election on Saturday, 11th March 2023,” the disclaimer stated.
CAN, therefore, appealed for calm and tolerance to guarantee peaceful conduct of the March 11, 2023 elections in the State.
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.”
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.
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.