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The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party said it would not impose punitive measures on its former presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, asserting that he was obviously being misled into betraying his party in favor of an “illegal” caretaker committee.
This was disclosed by the National Legal Adviser of the party, Kèhinde Edun, in an interview with The PUNCH.
According to him, meting out sanctions would not resolve the face-off.
Edun, however, expressed optimism that the former governor of Anambra State would retrace his steps. He said, “Obi is being misled. It is human to err, and we give respect to him as the leader. I understand there is so much pressure from everywhere, and we recognize that at the end of the day, the truth shall prevail.
“We might have a temporary situation where someone is confused as to the path to take. We won’t crucify him for that. So we are confident that it is only a matter of time; our leaders shall realize the truth and their mistakes. So it is clear.”
However, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, stated that Obi was not being misled.
He said, “His Excellency Peter Obi is not interested in unending issues. He is interested in building a united party. So as long as they have respect for him, it’s good that they follow some of the laid-down rules and regulations of the party that can help us chart a way forward.
“That is exactly what we need to do. We should be able to ignore name-calling and all, but follow the provisions of the constitution of the party. As Obi usually says, if you want to be addressed as Excellency, you need to come through an excellent way.”
Last week, the Abure-led NWC had accused Obi and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, of betrayal.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, at a press conference in Abuja, said it was disappointing that Obi and Otti would abandon Abure after he supported them in the 2023 general elections.
Ifoh lamented that rather than stand by the party in its trying moment, the two party leaders betrayed their trust by siding with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
AT exactly 9.28 pm, yesterday, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was declared the winner of the Edo State 2024 governorship election, sparking celebration in the state.
He polled 291,667 votes to beat his closest marker, Dr Asue Ighodalo, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 247,655 votes. Okpebholo was better with 44,012 votes and emerged victorious in Edo’s keenest governorship poll ever.
Labour Party, LP, Standard bearer, Olumide Akpata, came a distant third with 22,763 votes.
An elated Okpebholo told Edo people that they had elected the best person for the job and should expect the best from him.
His victory came amid complaints from Governor Obaseki, the PDP Campaign Council, PDP governors, and civil society organisations, who picked holes in the hitches that trailed the collation process midway and urged the INEC to address the situation.
Speaking shortly after being declared winner of the election, Senator Okpebholo promised to develop Edo State, adding that Edo was rising.
He said: “Edo people have elected the right person for the job. A new Edo is rising. I am here to develop Edo State, I want to transform Edo the way it should be. I want to tell you that I will start from where Adams Oshiomhole stopped. Edo will receive a new transformation and by the grace of God, Edo will stand firm.”
To emerge victorious, Okpebholo won 11 of the 18 local councils of the state but one of the three senatorial districts. He was dominant in Edo North where Senator Adams Oshiomhole hails from but lost his Edo Central and Edo South narrowly to Ighodalo, who is also from Edo Central.
In Edo North, the APC candidate polled 130,684 votes compared to PDP’s 76,959 votes and LP’s 5,987.
In Edo Central it was APC (48,895); PDP (54,813) and LP (1,546). And in Edo South, it was Okpebholo (112,088 votes); Ighodalo (115,502) and Akpata (15,230).
The 11 LGAs that Okpebholo won including Governor Godwin Obaseki’s Orhionmwon are Etsako West, Etsako East, Akofo Edo, Owan East, Owan West, Etsako Central, Esan West, Esan North-East, Esan central, Egor, and Oredo.
Ighodalo prevailed in seven LGAs, namely Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Igueben, Ovia North-East, Ovia South-West, Uhunwonde and Ikpoba-Okha.
Nigerians are well known for the tradition of giving alms to the needy.
Many people believe that the needy, particularly beggars, are angels sent to test their act of giving.
Others believe that when the barren gives to those with children, she will give birth to children of her own, while most people believe that giving the needy will release God’s blessings upon them.
However, these beliefs are gradually dying.
Many Nigerians are no longer giving alms, due to the declining standard of living.
Economy&Lifestyle discovered that the development has made most roadside beggars, who are known to quit begging by 5 p.m., now extend their routine till late night, to meet their daily targets.
Hauwa Garba, a mother of three who begs for a living, said: “People hardly give us money nowadays. I have been begging since 2018.
“Then people will give N500, N200, clothes, food for myself and children.
“Now, people don’t even look at you or the children. The act of giving has reduced a lot.
“The highest denomination I received today was N100.
“Even the sharing of food packs hardly happens now and when it does the packs contain little quantity unlike before when you have a lot to eat and even waste.
“It is even difficult to see them give basic necessities such as clothes, drugs, tissue paper, pampers and so on as it was a routine then.
“They now give these items to people closer to them.
“I don’t blame them but the poor economy.
“So to meet up with footing my bills, I beg till late night. “This is because I pay for the space I retire to after begging. There are very many of us living there and everyone must pay their share of the rent.”
In Nigeria, there are various grades of beggars and each category sticks to a particular belief of the various cultural backgrounds in the country.
There are beggars with children, there are the old, those who are handicapped and some that you meet on the street seeking financial help or food for survival, there are beggars seeking help to resolve medical issues among others.
On his part, Dogo Kubure, a handicapped in his 40’s, said he started closing by 9 p.m. after heeding the advice of a fellow beggar to extend their begging time to meet up with their target.
“This is a very hard time for beggars like me because those who are physically complete find it hard to provide for their daily life compared to us.
“Before, I went home with at least N1,000 daily apart from the various food items people gave me.
“Now, I hardly go home with N500.
“Today, I made just N200. This is to show you the extent how which the economy has reduced our benefactors.
“I have to stay out late after heeding the advice of my friend who is also a beggar but old.
“People always give the handicapped and old mostly. But now, both categories of beggars are not even pitied by many.
“If I can’t meet up with my needs in the city anymore, I will go back to my village before the year ends.”
Confirming the reduction in giving alms to roadside beggars, Miss Mercy Udechukwu, a skincare seller said she has stopped giving beggars money on the street and decided to give the little she can spare to members of her family that is struggling to survive.
“In a day up to two to three people in my family are seeking financial help.
“Sometimes I promise to give them and I fulfil my promise. “Other times I just tell them I am also struggling.
“Before, in a week I give beggars up to N1,000 when I go out. Some even come in groups to my shop to solicit financial help.
“But now, I don’t give them because I am struggling to survive and the little I can spare I give to my family who are also in need.”
Mr. Matthew Bankole, a surveyor, said: “What I do now is give alms in my church. We have a special donation for the needy.
“Such as widows and those who are struggling to survive in this economy.
“I also support my family members who are also struggling.
“The way the economy is now, people hardly render help anymore.
“Even when you have the money, prefer to give it to immediate family members who are striving to survive.
“People don’t even have pity anymore.
“For instance, Look at those commercial bus drivers before they assist school children to the nearest bus stop of their school but now if a child doesn’t have a complete transport fare they either stay at the bus stop for long hours or trek half the journey.
“It is not as if these drivers are bad but it’s a condition the economy has placed in their lives so they have to kill pity.
“That is what has extended into our tradition of giving. The current economic situation has killed pity.”
Patrick Doyle, the ace Nigerian actor, has criticised the phrase “I am chosen”, commonly chanted by members of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries.
In a recent Facebook post, Doyle described the phrase as “nonsensical” and argued it is not a Christian doctrine.
“The phrase ‘I am a chosen,’ as used by members of the religious sect called ‘Chosen,’ should never be connected to the Body of Christ,” he wrote.
“The members of this sect do not have Jesus in mind when they chant the phrase. Their adoration is unequivocally directed at a man, their GO, and the sect he founded. The phrase does not mention or even imply Jesus in any way.
“To infer that the nonsensical phrase is remotely connected to giving glory to the name or person of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is to make a mockery of our faith.
“Bloggers and content creators using the phrase are not mocking the Church of God but the sect in question and its founder.”
Doyle’s remark comes on the heels of skepticism surrounding testimonies from the church.
Last week, social media users shared old clips of congregants recounting their miraculous experiences.
In one video, an elderly woman claimed four armed robbers attacked her but miraculously gained control of their guns, leading to the arrest of three of the assailants.
Similarly, a man testified that he survived a kidnapping, machete assaults, and gunshots “without sustaining any injuries.”
Another man alleged that a lion rescued him from kidnappers by lifting him into the air and guiding him to safety.
Dee One, the comedian, earlier warned critics not to incur the wrath of Lazarus Muoka, the church’s general overseer.
However, IK Ogbonna, the actor, also called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to tackle the issue of “fake miracles” in churches.
CAN recently condemned a viral testimony of a congregant who claimed “an angel” provided answers to her during an examination.
Kemi Lala Akindoju, the actress, also criticised the church’s doctrine
•She was busy with phone when I wrapped two hands on her neck
•I placed her dead body on a chair, took picture, sent to her mother
•I collected N360,000 ransom after killing her
If 23-year-old Ayomide Adeleye, a 300-level philosophy student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, had known the far-reaching implications of killing a fellow human being, he would have opted to remain poor.
The lanky black complexioned young man who resides with his parents in Ikorodu in Lagos is now cooling his head inside the cell of Lagos state Police Command Tactical Unit, Ikeja.
He bemoaned the fate that befell him, lamenting that after his arrest, he tried to cut his fingers with any sharp object so that he would bleed to death but for the vigilant security agents that stopped him.
His story:
“I was born in Surulere Local Government area in June, 2001. My parents later relocated to Ikorodu where we have our own house. I have three siblings. One of them is late. I am the first son, and my father is a boat driver. Before I was born, he and my mum worked at Eko hotel. So, I think due to their marriage, one of them had to stop working. When he stopped, my mum was still there until 2011. I attend the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
How it happened
“I had not been at home for over six months. The victim, Christiana Idowu, 18, contacted me several times in school where I was studying Philosophy, in 300 level. She had been contacting me that she wanted to repair her phone because I had repaired it for her before.
How did you meet her?
“We were church members. I had known her for three years before the incident. She had been contacting me and I told her I would be at home at the end of the session. When I came back to Lagos, she called and I told her I was at home. She came to our house around 5pm on the day of the incident and asked me to repair her phone. She was an Industrial Training, IT, student in Yaba College of Technology. She came with a bike. She had her bag and other things she used in school. So, when she arrived, I collected the phone from her, looked at it, and I discovered that the phone only had battery problem and the screen was faulty. I just needed to put gum on the screen and change the battery. But she was not ready to change the battery, she just wanted to continue using the phone like that.
Why did you kill her?
“I killed her because I had financial problems. I thought of the problems and decided to strangle her while she was busy going through my phone. I then called her mother claiming that she was kidnapped and she should pay ransom. I didn’t really pounce on her. She was preoccupied with my own phone. Then, it was drizzling, and a little noisy, so, I just grabbed her, applied pressure. She started struggling. She didn’t really shout because I already suppressed her. I then squeezed her throat and she gave up. I placed her body on a seat and took her picture so that I could send it to her mother. I didn’t send it immediately, I just left her at the shop like that. That was around 5:30 pm on Monday night. I left her on the seat and went to plan how to dispose of the body. By 11 p.m. that same night, I started to dig her grave in a small farm behind our compound. Luckily, rain fell that day, so the ground was a little soft. I dug using shovel. I was not able to dig deep that night. So, I postponed the digging. The body was still in the shop. By 4 am the following day, I woke up, I continued digging. Honestly, I did not close my eyes till day break. I was just filled with thoughts about what I did. I then took the body to the shallow grave only to notice that it could not be covered well. I thought of what to do because I was really tired of digging. I had blisters on my hand and the shovel I used had already broken. So, I thought of chopping off her head to make it easy to bury but I did not have the courage to do that. I just had to continue digging even if the shovel broke, I continued to dig until the shallow grave could contain her. I then buried her, covered it with sand. Everything happened before 5 a.m. Then I left the scene to contact her mother and demanded ransom.”
How did you get the mother’s number?
“It was on the daughter’s phone. Luckily, she did not have PIN number or pass code. I recognized her mother’s face on her profile picture. I then called and the first thing I said to her was, “Hello, madam. we have your daughter.” The next thing she said was “who be this?.” Maybe she thought it wasn’t for real. Then I sent a text message telling her same thing. I sent it with the picture where she was sitting on a chair. She asked me, “What do you want?” I told her, “madam, how much do you have?” I spoke to her. I wrote everything in Pidgin. She said, “I don’t have any money. I am a single mother.”
I said, “Madam, just bring anything.” She said she didn’t have, I said; “bring three million to release your daughter.” I know for a fact that she didn’t have three million. Even if she did not have that amount, I was ready to collect any amount because I desperately needed money no matter the amount. After going back and forth with her, she said she was able to get N350, 000.00 and I gave her a sporty bet account to pay the money in order to avoid being traced. That was three days after I buried her daughter. She sent the money there, but, I was unable to withdraw at first because Sporty bet had this rule that once you deposit, you have to play at least a game before you can withdraw. I tried to withdraw but they locked the fund. Then, they asked me to present my NIN for verification. I sent it to them, and they released the money. They didn’t release it until three days later.
“ I then asked the mother again, “madam, how much can you pay again? She said the money in her account wasn’t up to N10, 000.00. I said, just hurry, hurry, put it together and send. “She sent it to her daughter’s account making the whole money N360, 000.00 paid as ransom. After that, I stopped all communication with the mother. But, before they sent the money, they were telling me that they wanted to actually see a video or voice confirmation of the girl but the girl was no more. It was only that picture I took that I was able to send. So, I just kept on pushing them. I used the money to take care of my personal and family financial problems.”
How did the police arrest you?
“It was not police, I was picked up by soldiers. They told me it was through my Sporty bet because I uploaded my NIN so it was traced. If I had not uploaded my NIN, it would just be an empty account. But the moment I uploaded my NIN, all my personal details, my location, my address, my name, everything, was already on the sporty bet. The girl’s phone was also with me, they could have traced the location of the phone, that was how they got my location.”
How do you feel now that you have taken somebody’s life over peanuts?
“Even before I was arrested, Christiana was somebody that I had known for over three years, and we were close friends. I regret that I killed her because my mum and her mum were friends.”
Have you ever had any mental issues that landed you in the hospital?
“I wouldn’t say that it landed me in the hospital, but I am always alone. I don’t like associating with anybody.”
What was the last word she said before you took her life?
“She was focusing on the TikTok video. She did not say anything. In fact, when that incident happened, my cell phone dropped from her hand.”
Now, what do you want to be done to you?
“I don’t deserve any mercy for what I have done. At the same time, I ask God to forgive me. What I did was totally wrong and I regret it. I feel remorseful for what I have done. If there’s any way I could be given a second chance, I want to be given one but I deserve death, honestly. I have been planning to kill myself. While I was in the guard room, I tried to look for any sharp object to cut myself so that I would bleed to death.”
A viral video circulating on Sunday captured a moment of unity and prayer among several All Progressives Congress (APC) governors at the situation room in Benin, Edo State
This is as they await the announcement of the ongoing Edo State governorship election results.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, led the prayer session, with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other notable APC members in attendance. The group took a moment to worship as results continued to trickle in.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began releasing the official results of the 2024 Edo governorship election on Sunday.
Among the main contenders were Monday Okpebholo of the APC, Asue Ighodalo representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
As of the time of filling this report, Naija News observed that the APC’s candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was leading the race with 244,549 votes from 16 local government areas, according to INEC’s tally.
His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, secured 195,954 votes, while the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata garnered 13,348 votes.
While the results from the 16 local government areas have been announced, INEC called for a three-hour break to await the final results from two remaining local governments.
Collation is expected to resume at 5 p.m. at INEC’s headquarters in Benin City.
The atmosphere in the APC’s situation room remained hopeful, with governors and party members united in both prayer and anticipation as they awaited the final outcome of the closely contested election.
See video below
Media
Me? Force her into prostitution? I don’t know where you got the story that I forced Georgina into prostitution, the girl was already one. I just told her to be useful with it.
Look, I am an old man and I have seen my share of this life, so you can’t come to me, accusing me of what I didn’t do, I won’t accept it!
Georgina herself will not come to me to say I pushed her into ‘ashawo’ work. It is something she enjoys doing.
I am a retired officer of the law. I retired as a Sergeant after 35 years! When I was on the job, I provided for my family the best way I could. We lived in the barracks until I had to retire. I had to give up the flat I was given. That’s what happens when you retire. I retired due to an injury I suffered while off duty.
See my leg…it refused to heal…that’s why I look older than 62 years. It’s a long story but I want to respond to the accusation you brought here.
I agree that I had too many children, I had 8 children with my wife. You know, I also lived rough. I drink a lot because…life is harsh!
I had just one wife, Obiageli. She was Georgina’s mother. My wife died in the accident I told you I got injured from. Anyway, I couldn’t function properly as an officer even though my commanding officer really tried for me. I was still on the job for 7 more years before I had to go into early retirement. My gratuity was paid 4 and a half years after I retired.
When we first moved out of the barracks, we came straight here, Ajegunle. The cost of getting a house wasn’t much then. Then when I got my gratuity, I bought an Okada to use to make more money to feed my children.
Georgina has always been wayward
Not all my children live with me; the three older boys have left home; two are mechanics and one is in Abuja working in a supermarket. The fourth child, a girl, Justina, is working for one madam. She doesn’t live with me, she lives with the madam. Georgina is next, the third to the last. From the very beginning, she had been a wild child!
When we were still at the barracks, my wife was always quarreling with Georgina because we often heard stories that she was sleeping around!
We heard that she had slept with all the boys in the barracks! My own child! She wasn’t even doing it for money!
Look, no parent wants that but Georgina is wild!
We tried to discipline her but she was just too wild. She would run away from the house for days. I agree the conditions at home weren’t great, but I did my best. I was given a two-room flat. My wife and two of our youngest children slept in one room. The others shared the other room. The house was choked.
The conditions were horrible; you know police barracks, now. But that was all I could provide for them. After all, there were other officers too, like me, with many children, in the same conditions and their children were not wayward like Georgina. So I can’t blame the environment.
Georgina was 15 years old when all this nonsense began. Even though I knew some of the officers and boys she was said to be sleeping with, I couldn’t confront them, I faced my own child and disciplined her!
Then after we had to leave the barracks, after my wife had died…you know, I couldn’t even afford to rent a room. I still had five of my children living with me. Maybe, say four because Georgina was never fully living with us. Justina, the one senior to Georgina, hadn’t got a job with the madam at that time.
We moved to Ajegunle
I moved to Ajegunle. It was cheaper and we rented this place. It’s on top of a dump, but this is where we call home. This is what I could afford. I couldn’t do any other job. Even as a security guard, nobody wanted a security guard with a bad leg.
When I got my gratuity, I bought Okada to use for business and feed my children. The remaining three boys were in school, Jakande Secondary School.
As for Georgina, I only saw her a few times, her involvement in prostitution will not let us see her regularly.
As you know, Okada business isn’t lucrative anymore. When government banned Okada in many places, many of the riders came to our area to do business. So, there are too many of us here. And look at me, I am an old man, how many rides would I make to earn even N3, 000 per day?
I used to make up to N5, 000 sometimes, N6, 000 per day but since everywhere here is Okada, Okada… business is bad now!
Ok, so feeding the children, and even buying school shoes and clothes was a problem for me. That’s when I told Georgina to be “useful”, I told her, if she is fully into prostitution, she should at least use it to bring food home to us.
The other day, the landlord increased our rent; yes, this zinc house has a landlord. The man increased the rent. I couldn’t afford the increase on top of feeding three children. I also knew the man had been eyeing Georgina on the days he comes here and sees her. So, I told her to go and meet the landlord and “settle” with him so that he won’t increase our rent.
She refused to help with proceeds from her prostitution!
She said, “no!”
I got angry. She began to abuse me openly and called me all sorts of names, saying I was asking her to engage in prostitution!
That’s when I said, “If you are using your toto for fun, at least, use it to help your family. I hear you sleep with everything that had something between their legs, your business no dey hep your family?”
Well, she went, she went to do what she knows how to do and the landlord has changed his tone, we are no longer owing rent…for now.
Maybe that’s what the neighbours heard and are saying I am forcing her into prostitution. Is it the prostitution she isn’t already in?
Is it today she has been sleeping around?
The girl is very stupid, other girls around here are doing it and building houses for their parents, she is just giving out her own for free!
That’s all I am saying, “If you will sleep around, use it to help us!”
Is that one by force?
[Src: VANGUARD]
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released detained #EndBadGovernance protesters who participated in the recent August 1-10 anti-hunger protests across the country.
LEADERSHIP learnt that the development followed the directive of the new director-general of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, that all those arrested during the protest and cleared of any wrongdoing be released immediately.
Confirming this, a security source, who was in the know, said the DSS boss had on September 19, 2024, “directed the immediate release of protesters who were arrested for their various roles in the #Endbadgovernance protests.”
The source further stated that in line with the directive, six persons held in Kaduna (names withheld) have been released immediately.
The source also noted that “three (other suspects) are being prosecuted for established prima facie cases.”
Another security source further noted that “the DG DSS reiterated citizen’s right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the constitution and regard for the rule of law, even as he is resolute on upholding the mandate of the Service of decisively investigating and bringing to justice those who exploit such rights to perpetrate crime.”
Meanwhile, one of the released protesters, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, commended the gesture for his release and expressed optimism on the humane face with which the Service conducted the investigation.
Economic hardship forced me to adjust how I use my car, electricity – APC Chieftain, Joe Igbokwe
AFOLABI
Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, has explained that he is also deeply affected by the hardships in Nigeria.
He revealed that he no longer drives his car or go everywhere due to the prevailing economic hardship.
Igbokwe, who disclosed this in a post on Saturday, September 21, also said that he switched off 70% of electric appliances in his house.
“I don carry my motor comot for road oooo. No be anywhere I de go now. For house we don switch off 70% of the electricity to survive oooo. Life na teacher ooooo,” he wrote.
“I am adjusting to the new reality. I cannot deceive myself,” he added.
Abia North senator, Orji Uzor-Kalu, has revealed why he stopped using his private jet.
In a video making the rounds on social media, the senator explained that the current economic hardship forced him to stop using the jet.
Lamenting the difficulties in fueling the jet, the former Abia State governor said he has opted for commercial flights.
He added that he has contracted out the private jet to an oil company.
Kalu said he stopped using the private jet since August this year, apparently due to hike in the price of aviation fuel, otherwise known as Jet A1.
“Buying fuel and all of the rest… I don’t need to explain to you. For now, I have grounded the private jet to do some other businesses for oil companies. I want to maintain that.
“There is a commercial plane that was scheduled and I will use them to the glory of God,” he added.
[DailyPost]
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Renowned Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, has announced her engagement and upcoming fairy-tale wedding.
She shared the exciting news with fans via a social media post, radiating happiness in a gorgeous dress.
Ini Edo’s post read: “That bright Sunday morning 6 months ago while on vacation, we crossed paths and our lives never remained the same. Exactly 3 months later you asked me to be with you forever. How did I get so lucky? They say ‘Your flaws are perfect for the heart that is meant to love you’ | now believe this wholeheartedly. 1 of 3 done. My fairytale wedding is almost here.”
The actress, known for her captivating performances, expressed her gratitude and excitement as she embarks on the new chapter of her life.
She also shared an inspiring message for her followers: “To anyone who has given up on their happily ever after, love will find you. And when it does, whether you’re ready or not, it’ll be the best thing that ever happened to you. #Loveisinfinite24.”
[TheNation]
Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki on Sunday explained that he visited the State Collation Centre where the results of Saturday’s governorship election which took place in the state was being collated for him to get first-hand information about the process.
LEADERSHIP reported that Obaseki was walked out of the Collation Centre in Benin City on Sunday morning by the mobile policemen led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the election, DIG Frank Mba following protests amongst opposition parties in the State.
Obaseki explained that his visit to the centre followed the failure to reach the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha.
He added that he made several attempts to reach Onuoha all to no avail.
#EdoDecides2024: Edo Election May Go Down As Nigeria’s Worst Ever In History – Ighodalo Warns
AFOLABI
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has voiced strong concerns about the ongoing election.
Naija News reports that Ighodalo suggested that the election may go down in history as the worst election ever held in Nigeria due to widespread irregularities.
During a live press conference on Sunday, organized by the Edo PDP National Campaign Council and led by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Ighodalo raised alarms over alleged manipulations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The press conference also saw the attendance of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“The way this election is going, it is set to be the worst election in the history of this country,” Ighodalo declared.
He cited numerous instances of election malpractices at various polling units, raising questions about the integrity of the results being declared.
“In Ikpoba/Okha Ologbo, the figure for accredited voters was NIL, but the results claimed the APC had 227 votes, while the PDP had 103. How is that even possible?” Ighodalo questioned.
He further highlighted similar anomalies in other polling units in the same area.
“In another unit in Ikpoba/Okha Ologbo, the number of accredited voters was recorded as 156, but the APC was declared to have won 2,110 votes, while the PDP received just 57 votes, and no votes were recorded for the Labour Party,” he added.
The saying, “what a man can do, a woman can do even better”, may not be entirely true when it comes to church administration and management.
This notwithstanding that women are said to possess spiritual depth, relational skill, integrative thinking, tender courage and high in emotional intelligence, which are key to success in any endeavour, especially in church ministry.
Nigeria is a country with a rich history of Christianity, and women have played a significant role in its growth.
In recent years, there has been a growing number of female pastors in the country who founded churches or inherited ones founded by their late husbands.
As evident across the country, several Nigerian women have stepped into their deceased husbands’ shoes to become church overseers.
For many of these women, it was a huge struggle fitting into the big shoes left behind by their founders.
Meanwhile, most of the women who took over the churches after their husbands’ demise have faced significant challenges in maintaining the large followings and influence of the churches.
However, while some have gone into oblivion, others have struggled to sustain the momentum and keep up with the standards set by their deceased spouses.
Challenges
Some of the challenges in their management and retention of members, Sunday Vanguard observed, include lack of charisma.
Some of the widows do not possess the same level of charisma and leadership qualities that their husbands had, making it difficult to connect with the congregation and inspire loyalty.
Limited experience is another important factor.
Many of these women were not actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the church before their husbands’ passing, leaving them with a steep learning curve and limited experience in managing a large congregation.
Succession question
Expectedly, each time a notable man of God passes on, there is apprehension about leadership succession in their churches because of doubts, and belief from some quarters that women should not head or manage churches, especially in patriarchal societies like Nigeria.
But with the churches largely seen as part of family businesses, it would be futile to try to dislodge the widows or even the sons or daughters of the founders after their demise, regardless of whether or not they adequately prepared for succession.
Meanwhile, some of the churches’ members tried to resist the leadership of some of these women pastors, leading to a decline in attendance and support while others challenged the female pastors’ authority, leading to power struggles and divisions within the church.
Again, it was observed that the some of these widowed pastors have different theological perspectives or preaching styles compared to their husbands.
The emotional connection and personal relationships that the late pastors had with their members was difficult for their widows to replicate, leading to a sense of disconnection, dissatisfaction, disagreements, and drift among the congregation.
As widows, they also face the added responsibility of caring for their families while leading the church and managing its financial resources.
The pressure to maintain their late husbands’ legacies while forging their own paths has overwhelmed some of them. On the spotlight are:
Margaret Idahosa
Margaret is the wife of the founding Archbishop of Church of God Mission International (CGM), and was called into ministry after the death of her husband, Archbishop Benson Idahosa, to fill the vacuum created since her husband did not announce any successor before his death.
She took over the leadership of the church in March 1998, and became the first African female Archbishop.
Idahosa, 81, is renowned for her religious, educational, and philanthropic work.
Twenty six years later, the church has grown in leaps and bounds with investment in several endeavours – education and health among others.
A visit to Faith Arena, the international headquarters of the church in Benin City recently, showed a serene, clean and spacious environment with most of the buildings in splendid white.
The service started with Sunday School Class at exactly 8 am with members grouped in different locations inside the main auditorium which is a two storey structure.
The auditorium is designed in such a way that from wherever one is seated, he or she would see the altar.
By 8:25 am, a convoy of four vehicles arrived the premises and from an unmarked black Mercedes Benz mini-bus alighted the legendary Archbishop Margaret Idahosa accompanied by his son, Bishop FEB (Faith Emmanuel Benson) Idahosa, and other aides and they all walked into the auditorium where she took her seat in a decorated chair obviously specially made for her.
It was a family like atmosphere as a show of love pervaded the air with most of the men in their all white apparel with mufflers as that Sunday was their thanksgiving service after the Men’s Convention.
Among the congregation were students of the Benson Idahosa University founded by the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
It was obvious that the philosophy of the late Idahosa with which he founded the church was planted in the widow which she had transferred to the children.
However, the octogenarian has managed to maintain a significant following, but encountered resistance from some members who opposed her leadership style.
She was involved in legal battles with her stepson, Bishop Faith Idahosa, over the control of the church.
There were also unproven allegations of mismanagement of church funds and assets.
This posed a problem in maintaining her husband’s legacy.
One of the members of the private staff of Idahosa who was present when he died in March 1998, Mrs Vera Akpeji, told Sunday Vanguard that the success of the church hinged on the ability of the widow to carry everybody along.
“I will say the grace of God is what has taken the church to this level. Also, Mama was open to all when Papa Idahosa died”, Akpeji told Sunday Vanguard.
“Even though there were some issues, Mama Idahosa called on everybody to join hands with her. This sincere call by Mama motivated many of the workers to join her to build the church to this level.”
Also, Deacon Peter Ogbeide, who said he joined the church in Iyaro in 1974 before it moved to the Miracle Centre, said Archbishop Margaret Idahosa is an example of the capacity of women which is usually underrated.
Ogbeide, who disclosed that he worked as a labourer to build the church as a young man, said: “After Papa Idahosa’s demise, we never expected that there would be continuation of his ministry but we were shocked that Mama Idahosa continued and sustained what her husband started and what he stood for.
“It is a very good thing to see that she continued the legacies, the expansion of the church, the building of the university which is now in a permanent site, the Bible School and several others.”
Nkechi Anayo-Iloputaife
Nkechi was married to the late founder of Victory Christian Church, Bishop Harford Iloputaife.
On February 4, 1995, the Iloputaifes’ lives took an unexpected turn.
She and her husband had just returned home from greeting relatives in Lagos when armed gunmen burst into the house and attacked everyone inside.
After beating the pastors, they ordered them to lie on the floor.
The gunmen did shoot, hitting the bishop in the head and his wife in her right arm. Thinking they were both dead, the gunmen left.
The bishop died five days later in hospital at the age of 36 years but Nkechi survived.
Life of service
The widow was described by her church members as a unique leader who has truly lived a life of service as she has dedicated most of her time and resources to giving back to the ministry and society especially the less privileged.
“Pastor Nkechi always celebrates her birthday with orphans and the needy despite the pressures of the ministry”, said a church member who did not want her name to be mentioned.
“Being a woman in a male-dominated sector, her effort is nothing short of remarkable.
“There are various initiatives that she put in place for members and non-members. “These initiatives have been helping in the growth of the church. She has over the years provided scholarships to more than 50 children.”
Another worshipper, who simply identified herself as Tina, said: “Despite challenges involved in ministry, mummy has been so resolute and dedicated in her service to God and humanity.
“She is a mother with the heart of gold, visionary leader, and evangelist.
“She has set up vocational and business training for the needy and provided finance for small business start-ups.
“Another wonderful initiative was the creation of a program called ‘Shalom Shop’. This is a shop where you can purchase anything such as foods, clothes, shoes, electronics etc without paying immediately. “The shop also provides school items such as books and writing materials and it’s funded by Apostle Nkechi and runs on the back of donations from church members. It has been in existence for over nine years”.
Despite these wonderful initiatives, Nkechi has struggled to maintain the church’s membership and influence, with some members defecting to other churches.
She has also struggled to maintain the church’s financial stability even as allegations of nepotism and favoritism in the appointment of church leaders once rocked the church.
Evelyn Joshua
Before the sudden demise of her husband, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua), the founder of the Synagogue Church of Nation (SCOAN), on Saturday, June 5, 2021, little was known about Prophetess Evelyn Joshua because she was supporting her husband and contributing to the growth of the church from the background.
One of the ways she supported was by establishing and nurturing the Sunday School Department of the church.
After assuming office as the leader of SCOAN and becoming the President of Emmanuel Global Network (Owners of Emmanuel TV), cynics said Evelyn was too soft to step into the TB Joshua’s shoes.
Some members said they missed the late founder’s charismatic leadership style.
But Pastor Evelyn has been able to stabilise the church in her capacity as a prophetess and Senior Pastor and has weathered the storm of deliberate and calculated campaigns targeted at her person and the SCOAN.
When our reporter visited the church premises recently, he observed a lot of changes.
Unlike the era of the late TB Joshua, the security personnel were more friendly and courteous while worshippers in their thousands thronged the church building and environs for a divine touch or healing.
Many of the worshippers approached by our reporter refused to speak except one Mr. Uche who said he had been in the church for over 10 years.
“Skeptics had thought that The Synagogue would die with the visioner, Prophet Joshua, either from leadership crisis or from perceived lack of acceptance or lesser anointing by Pastor Evelyn”, Uche said.
“Her leadership is still pointing to the unbroken continuity of God’s presence and power in SCOAN”.
While there is a deliberate and sustained campaign to preserve legacy of the late prophet, the new leader of SCOAN has been struggling to maintain the church’s international standing and following.
SCOAN has a significant international following, and the prophetess has struggled to maintain this standing and attract new international members.
Emmanuel TV, the face of the church, experienced reduced viewership following some allegations against the church and its inability to produce new content after TB Joshua’s death.
Just a few years in the saddle, Emmanuel TV’s YouTube channel was terminated for allegedly violating hate speech policies.
Not only that, the TV station was removed from DSTV and GOTV on account of poor viewership by MultiChoice, just as its satellite channel was closed by StarSat and other pay-TV platforms.
Meanwhile, signs that the crowds SCOAN was pulling when TB Joshua was alive have gone are everywhere in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos where the church is located.
The traffic jam usually caused by worshippers anytime there was service is no longer there.
And when the founder was alive, hospitality was a thriving business in the area as church services attracted people from far and near in search of ‘miracle’ and many of them usually lodged in nearby hotels.
The development prompted the building of scores of hotels in the area, with many taking loans to do so.
Even the large crowds were such that many landlords were said to have let out their houses to worshippers who could not afford to stay in hotels for a fee.
But today, many hotel owners in the area are lamenting poor patronage because ‘miracle’ that was bringing worshippers from across the country and beyond to the church is gone with the death of the SCOAN founder.
Sarah Omakwu
Sarah is the widow of Inalegwu Omakwu, founder and Senior Pastor of Family Worship Center, Abuja.
The husband died in Los Angeles, United States of America in 2003, after battling brain cancer for three years.
Sarah took over the leadership of the ministry as Senior Pastor, steering the church and also serving as the chief operating officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network International. Pastor Sarah, as she is fondly called, is known for her charismatic leadership style and her commitment to helping the vulnerable. Church members expressed positive sentiments about her leadership and ministry.
A worshipper, who gave his name as Emma, told Sunday Vanguard: “Pastor Sarah is a mother to many, a true vessel of God’s love and care.
“Her teachings have transformed my life, and her compassion has helped me through difficult times”.
“She is a powerful woman of God, an inspiration to many”, said another church member who didn’t want his name mentioned.
“Her dedication to serving the Lord and humanity is remarkable”, the member said. “Under her guidance, the church has grown, and so have I. Her sermons are insightful, and her love for God and humanity is contagious.”
While Sarah has maintained a loyal following, she has faced challenges in expanding the church’s reach and influence beyond its existing membership.
Mercy Ezekiel
Reverend Mercy Ezekiel officially became the General Overseer of the Christian Pentecostal Mission, CPM, in 2021, after the death of her husband and founder of the ministry, Bishop Obiora Ezekiel.
The deceased, who passed on at 78, battled health challenges which resulted in his blindness about 20 years before his death.
And Rev Mercy had been managing the church in her capacity as Senior Pastor before the death of her husband.
She was also the National and International Coordinator of the church.
Her passion for soul winning, evangelism, prophetic gifts and many more, according to some of the church members, have kept the ministry moving and alive.
“Mummy is a woman of passion, as her name is Mercy, so she is, always caring and showing mercy to people, especially the needy”, a CPM member who spoke anonymously told Sunday Vanguard.
“Being a woman endowed with spiritual gifts, and filled with the anointing of God for deliverance, she founded an outreach known as Meez Outreach.
“There is also a faith clinic, a non-denominational outreach where men and women with problems come to pray and, by faith, their problems are solved through the power and the anointing of God in Rev Mercy’s life.
“Business Commission is for businessmen and women while the prenatal clinic is a forum for women looking for the fruit of the womb and God has used Mercy Ezekiel to put laughter in many families.”
Rev Mercy has managed to maintain a significant following, but has faced challenges in form of resistance from some members who opposed her leadership style.
She has struggled to maintain the church’s growth and expansion.
Her leadership is also characterised by allegations of nepotism in the appointment of church leaders.