The Age Newspaper Online

The Chairman of Borno State, Christians Association (CAN), Bishop Mohammed Naga has commended the selection of former governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023 Election. Bishop Naga, in a statement on Monday said the Christian community in Borno State have never had a better deal than under Shettima who was at the helm in the state between 2011 and 2019. Naga, who described Shettima as a compassionate leader, said: “My brothers, those who are not from Borno State may not know, but you and I know better. In the history of Borno State, there is no Governor that has been fair to the Christian Community in this State as much as Governor Kashim Shettima. I am saying this in the presence of God Almighty and this is nothing but the truth. Governor Shettima, in the history of Borno, is the only Governor that has sponsored highest number of Christian Pilgrims every year since 2011. “I a

A Non-Political group known as Northern People's Project (NPP) has called for the immediate withdrawal of the former governor of Borno state, Kashim Ibrahim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress and replace him with a Northern Christian. The group in a press statement signed by it's Publicity Secretary, Comrade Yohanna Jatau, noted that the party has from now to Friday, 15th July, 2022 to reverse the Muslim-Muslim ticket and announce a Northern Christian as the party's VP. The statement disclosed that there are thousands of Christians in thr North that are more compete and qualified than Shettima. NPP said they were taken aback when the APC Presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu announced Kashim Ibrahim Shettima another Muslim as Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari's replacement whom Nigerians protested his nomination because of Muslim-Muslim combined ticket. According to the statement, Christians constituted over 37% population of the entir

On behalf of my family and the good people of Riyom, I extend our warmest wishes to Muslims across our Local Government and around the state who are celebrating Eid al-Adha, the “Feast of the Sacrifice” today. This special day is a time to honor God through the sacrifice of love and kindness, which symbolizes commitment to the Almighty. In remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s heart of sacrifice and faith in Allah, I urge you all to extend love to one another even as you celebrate. May Allah open the doors of happiness and prosperity for you, and may He receive all your sacrifices. Eid Mubarak

In view of the apparent growing threat to our security existence and democracy, it became critical for Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) to make this public statement. 1. The best way to destroy a virus is to ridicule it then attack it. Unfortunately, rather than the Federal government and our security forces ridiculing the terrorists and decimating them the reverse is the case. 2. The terrorists successful attack on the advance team of the Presidents’ entourage on 5th July, 2022 on their way to Duara in Katsina state is perhaps the second of such Salah gift to H.E President Mohammadu Buhari. Also Within the same date, the terrorist further ridiculed and shamed the President and Nigerias’ security forces kinetic and non-kinetic approach in counter terrorism. The terrorists invasion with precise intelligence superior to that of the armed forces was successfully carried out at the Kuje prison (Correctional Institution) in Abuja leading to the escape of high prof

The Chairman of Qua'an-Pan Local Government Council, LGC, of Plateau State, Hon Ernest Abner Da'a, has congratulated the the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate in the Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe for the choice and successfully unveiling his running mate, Hon. Pam Bot Mang The Chairman who made the commendation in a statement he signed on Thursday July 7, 2022, acknowledged the capacity of the combination of two candidates to deliver the party in the state and pledged the commitment of the people of Qua'an-Pan Local Government Area to support and deliver the team and all APC flag bearers. Hon. Da'a, who appreciated the commitment of Governor, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong in steering and sustaining the APC in the State, appealed to members of the APC family to conduct themselves well during the campaigns, urging them to "continue to exhibit high level of tolerance and understanding as we go about our campaigns". Below is the full text of the statement I, Hon.

Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje has said presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has agreed to pick a Muslim vice-presidential candidate. The governor disclosed this on Friday, July 8, 2022, during a gathering of about 100 clerics at the Kano state government house as part of activities to mark Eid El Kabir. Recall, since emergence of Tinubu as APC presidential candidate, there have been controversies over who he should field as presidential running mate. While the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected the idea of Muslim-Muslim ticket, and warned parties against it, some stakeholders have asked Nigerians to focus more on competence than sentiment. However, Ganduje speaking to the clerics said; “We have advised him to pick a Muslim deputy and he has agreed.” “A Muslim-Muslim ticket is a reality. It is not something new in Nigeria,” the governor said. Ganduje asked the clerics to pray for Tinubu to emerge as Nigeria’s president com

Three All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors on Friday has held a closed-door meeting with Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, at his private residence in Port Harcourt, on Friday, July 8, 2022. The Governors, who arrived in the afternoon to meet with Wike, were Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo). The meeting which purpose is yet to be known is coming amid rumour of Wike defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after being snubbed by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as his vice. Recall, on June 16, 2022, Atiku nominated the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 elections. While announcing Okowa as his vice, Atiku said making a choice between the three names( in which Wike is reportedly to be among) had been a difficult decision to make. He also pointed out that some of the qualities he looked out for include someone who understands the enormity of the challenges facing the

... says Christians will not be intimidated in a multi party democracy Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter has said that parties attempting to field same faith tickets will not make them lose sleep. CAN Chairman Kaduna State, Reverend John Joseph Hayab expressed this, when he had an interactive session with some journalists on Thursday July 7, at his office. "Why would anyone worry about Muslim-Muslim ticket when there are several options and there are even Christian candidates in some political parties. "Tell Christians that CAN says when we have more than 10 political parties, why should we be bothered about the choice of one party," he said. Although he rubbished the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the All Progressives Congress (APC)   in the state, he explained that there is need for political parties to be sensitive. "The constitution says leadership in Nigeria should reflect federal

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and 2023 gubernatorial aspirant in Plateau State, Garba Pwul, has faulted senator Joshua Dariye’s continued incarceration, as he states that his release from prison shouldn’t have delayed for more than 24 hours after a pardon was pronounced by the President. Barrister Pwul said the President being the highest constitutional authority in the country, no other interest or authority can surpass a presidential order, especially one such as this pardon that is backed by a resolution of the National Council of State. He said, “once a presidential pardon is pronounced, it takes immediate effect. There is no higher authority than the president, who will approve or disapprove. Having received a presidential pardon with the approval of the Council of State, the matter is completely conclusive. Dariye is supposed to see the light of day within twenty four hours. Nobody can sit on top of that amnesty. “if in spite of the amnesty, Dariye is still being held, then the

Two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Zakari Maigari and Zubainatu Mohammed, on Wednesday, approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, praying it to bar the party from replacing Alhaji Kabiru Masari as the running mate to Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election. The Plaintiffs, who identified themselves as delegates that voted in the recently conducted presidential primary election of the party, equally prayed the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from accepting any other person as Masari’s replacement, pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Cited as 1st to 4th Defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ CS/1059/2022, are the APC, INEC, Tinubu and Masari. Specifically, the litigants, asked the court to among other things, determine, whether having regard to the combined effect of sections 142(1) and sections 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act, it is legally permissible for Masari to withdraw as th

A group, comprised of some foundational members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the aiges of Progressives Foundation Movement (PFM) has urged the national leadership of the party not to forward the name of Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe as 2023 party’s governorship candidate for Plateau state. In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja and signed on behalf of others by Mr. Jacob Gyang, Elder Victor Useni and Musa Ardo, called on the APC national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, to summon an all important stakeholders meeting with all the aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders of the party in Plateau state to address “these very critical issues and allegations. “Resist and rescind every form of pressure from Governor Lalong to forward the name of Dr. Nentawe whose authentic membership of our great Party remains a doubt to INEC as the commission’s deadline draws near. “Pick someone from among the aggrieved aspirants who is more acceptable and popular and whose membership

The PDP has been enmeshed in deep crisis since Atiku picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as running mate for the 2023 general elections. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has rejected the call for him to have one-on-one meeting with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar over the lingering crisis on the choice of running mate. The PDP has been enmeshed in deep crisis since Atiku picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as running mate for the 2023 general elections. The crisis has also degenerated to some members of the party calling for the resignation of its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. Wike, who came second in the party’s primary election, on Tuesday asked Atiku to rather meet with his team for peace talks on the terms proposed to the party, especially as it concerns the resignation of Ayu. The Nation reports that the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, had suggeste

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday, cautioned the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, against linking its struggle with the presidential ambition of the Labour Party’s Peter Obi. IPOB said Obi is not one of its members and has never supported the agitation for self-determination; hence Kwankwaso should desist from such connections. Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, said the group is not interested in the process of Nigerian elections. A statement by Powerful reads: “The global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the command and leadership of our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to advise the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwoso not to involve IPOB in the selection process they call an election in Nigeria. “The Nigerian politicians generally and Kwankwaso, in particular, should desist from linking IPOB with Peter Obi’s political ambition and campaign. Peter Obi is not an IPOB member, and nev

The long-age rivalry between the Medical and Dental Consultants' Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and other health Professionalsl could be said to have reached its crescendo as the the Professional bodies have recently engaged in a war of words. The current upheaval is triggered by a Bill currently before the House of Representatives, sponsored by Hon. Bamidele Salam, representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, South-West Nigeria. The Bill, entitled, "Bill for an Act to amend the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstruction of Boards etc) Act Cap U15 LFN 2004, seeks among other things, to  1. Change the nomenclature of the Head of Tertiary Health Institutions in Nigeria from Chief Medical Director  2. Redefine the qualification of the Head of Tertiary Hospitals  3.  Provide a definite tenure of office for the Heads of Tertiary Hospitals  4. Include students of Health Sciences in the training  programmes of Tertiary Hospitals 5. Include h

A Non-Political group known as Northern People's Project (NPP) has kicked against the purported endorsement of Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as the All Progressive Congress (APC), vice presidentialby the Tinubu Support Organization as it will hinder the party's chances of winning the 2023 presidential election.Reacting to a press conference addressed the Director General of Tinubu Support Organization (TSO), Aminu Suleman endorsing Mallam El-Rufai as the APC vice presidential candidate, NPP urged Ahmed Bola Tinubu to ignore the purported endorsement of El-Rufai as Suleiman and his group are merely seeking for relevance and financial gains at the detriment of unity and progress of Nigeria.The Publicity Secretary of NPP, Comrade Yohanna Jatau advised APC and Tinubu to ignore anybody or group promoting the idea of Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as it will not only leads to the party's defeat but will cause serious disunity among Nigerians. The group hinted th

The Management of Qua’an-Pan LGC of Plateau State, has concluded arrangements for the construction of the collapsed Turniang and Langkaku Bridges in Kwande and Namu Districts, respectively. The Executive Chairman Qua’an-Pan LGC, Hon. Ernest Abner Da’a, represented by the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Helen Henniet Wapmuk, disclosed this on Monday July 4, 2022, during an inspection tour of the collapsed bridge linking Kwande and Turniang towns of the Local Government. The Council Boss, further explained that since major part of the bridge has been washed away; there is the need for the the Council to reconstruction it. “As a Council, we have priority for the welfare and economic development of our people, so, the reconstruction work will commence in earnest, in order to ameliorate the suffering of the people due to the collapse of the bridge', she said. “Similarly, arrangement is being made by the Council for the reconstruction of the Langkaku Bridge that collapsed almost at the same time,”

12 persons were killed in a clash between bandits and vigilantes, in Zak community of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. Shapi'i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase who confirmed the latest development told our correspondent that the incident occurred around 9am yesterday explaining that "the clash left 12 people dead out which 9 were bandits while 3 were vigilantes." Our correspondent reports that Zak, is about 40 kilometers from Wase town, the headquarters of Wase LGA. Major Ishaku Takwa, the spokesperson of the Operation Safe Haven(OPSH), a multi security taskforce maintaining peace in the state, confirmed the incident to newsmen but could not ascertain the casualty figure of the incident, stressing that the commander and troops who repelled the attack moved to Gajin Bashar community to fight bandits who had stormed the area to attack, saying the men of the OPSH moved to Gajin Bashar after receiving distress calls of an attack. The youth leader narrated that "

The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congressn (APC) in Kaduna,  Senator Uba Sani has picked governor Nasir El-Rufai’s deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate for the upcoming 2023 gubernatorial elections in the state. Sani who currently represents Kaduna Central senatorial district made this announcement on Monday night, July 4, 2022. According to him, the decision was taken after consultations with critical stakeholders of the State. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe became the first female deputy-governor of Kaduna state after El-Rufai won his second term election as the state governor in 2019. Sani said Balarabe has contributed to the “giant strides recorded by the Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s administration in infrastructure and human capital development”. He went on “Dr. Balarabe has demonstrated hard work, punctuality, dedication and team spirit in the discharge of her responsibility as Deputy Governor which has endeared her to the critical stakeholders in the State.  “I w

The National Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wadata House/Plaza Zone 5 Wuse FCT Abuja Sir, PROTEST/PETITION ON THE NOMINATION OF MRS. JOSEPHINE PIYO AS RUNNING MATETO BARR. CALEB MUTFWANG/DEPUTY GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)PLATEAU STATE We write with extreme burden in our heart to draw your attention to the eminent danger ahead of the choice of MRS. JOSEPHINE PIYO as the Deputy Gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party Plateau State and the need to take immediate and urgent steps by reversing the nomination in the interest of the party and our winning chance. It will be recalled that since 2015 the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State have lost power as a result of avoidable mistakes in decision making especially due to selections of either Gubernatorial Candidates or running mates. We are afraid that we are about to repeat History by making a worse mistake than the one made in 2015 and 2019 by the Nomination of MRS. J

The Federal Government, under President Muhmamadu Buhari has reportedly sacked Chukwuyere N. Anamekwe as the acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF). According to The Nation reports, has been replaced with AGF Mr. Okolieaboh Ezeoke Sylvis, a former TSA (Treasury Single Account) Director. It was gathered that Anamekwe’s replacement followed allegations that he was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It was also said that the government was not comfortable with his revelation that it was borrowing to pay salaries. Anamekwe was appointed acting AGF on the May 22, 2022, He made the controversial remark on government borrowing to pay salaries on June 14. His appointment came after his predecessor, Ahmed Idris was suspended over alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds in the tune of N80 billion. According to reports, the Federal Government has initiated search for a new AGF. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCS