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Tag: Politics

  • Not a Politics of Who You Know! – By Valentine Anaweokhai

    Not a Politics of Who You Know! – By Valentine Anaweokhai

    By Rev. Fr. Valentine Anaweokhai

    Recently my attention was drawn to an online video where a man remarked that in some other parts of the world, when someone is in search of a job, some questions he may likely be asked include; what is your qualification? What can you do or what do you have to offer? He continued, but in Nigeria, getting that same job will depend majorly on who you know? Who is recommending you? To some extent, this is true. My own personal experiences would further affirm it. 

    A couple of times, people have approached me to assist them reach out to somebody in position of authority for employment or admission into a tertiary institution. They immediately tell you that in Nigeria, it is all about who you know. Worse still, if you have some money to give and bribe your way around, you may likely be fortunate but never always. In other words, it is all about who you know. Getting a contract, appointment, favour, job offer, admission, pass, or approval of any sort, you either need to know somebody or someone who knows someone who is connected or related to the person in charge. It is called the “Politics of Who You Know.” I have been both a victim and beneficiary of this kind of politics too.

    This kind of politics, wherever it is being played, be it in religious organizations, government agencies and ministries, and even in private settings, seems to be the order of the day, while a person’s money, connections, position, status, qualification, and power become an added advantage. Otherwise, you go nowhere and cannot get too far. Sometimes, even to get a Nigerian passport in the USA could take a longer or shorter period depending on who you know. This culture appears to be a Nigerian thing even when the institution is located outside the country. 

    It is rather unfortunate that when people apply for visas, admission, and job opportunities outside the shores of Nigeria, they do not need to know somebody or anybody in the country’s embassy, consulate, university or organization before such applications are honored and granted. Most often, answers are given based on merit, qualification, and prospects of the applicant. I have personal experiences to buttress this point, but that is a story for another day.

    Only recently, the United Kingdom elected a new Prime Minister in the person of Rishi Sunak, a British citizen but of Indian descent. His confirmation as the Prime Minister has been greeted also with racist rebuffs, but the fact remains that for now, he is the man considered most apt, qualified and fit to help the country out of her current economic challenges. He has even promised not to leave behind, any debts for the next generation. If it were to be solely and purely the politics of who you know, then he most probably would not have become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. But that is a society that acknowledges, cherishes and promotes virtue, merit, and qualification in leadership and the beauty of multiculturality over and above banal racial, tribal and ethnic bigotry.

    In the Gospel of St. Mark 10:35-45, we read how the sons of Zebedee, James and John approached Jesus and made a request, saying; Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you… Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory… Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” In Matthew’s gospel, it was their mother who approached Jesus for the request (Matt. 20:20-28). Let us not be oblivious of the fact that Jesus had earlier said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). This may have pre-informed why they approached him and said, “we want you to do for us, what ever we ask of you.” 

    Whether it was their mother or they themselves who approached Jesus, what were they thinking? That sitting at the right hand and left hand of Jesus in his kingdom was all about who you know? Or how well and fast you can press buttons to have your way into God’s kingdom? Probably, they wanted to play the ‘politics of who you know’, but this time, it backfired. Obviously, Jesus didn’t grant the request, but told them it wasn’t his to grant such, but the privilege was meant for those for whom it has been prepared.

    Did Jesus lack the powers and capacity to grant such requests? Not at all. Didn’t he say whatever is asked in his name he will grant? Surely, he did. Jesus does not, and cannot contradict himself. Can he grant us all that we ask him? Yes, he can. But does he grant us all that we ask him? No, he does not. Then why? Jesus knows that it is not all we ask that is good for our well being and salvation. He also knows that certain things we ask come from impure, insincere, and inordinate desires and motives. Sometimes such motives are for oppressive, domineering, showmanship, and prideful reasons. Such was the motive of James and John. St James reminds us; “You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).

    Jesus’ reply that sitting at his right and left hands was meant for those for whom it has been prepared would imply, on the surface, that such privilege was meant for special people. In other words, it was not meant for everybody. Does not that sound discriminatory, exclusive, and selective? Does it not imply some level of favoritism and self-contradiction? After Peter had returned from the home of Cornelius and was faced with the strict and severe criticisms from the brethren, he explained to them saying: “Now I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is\ right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). So, Jesus cannot be accused of expressing favoritism.

    Meanwhile, earlier on, he had warned: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). Jesus’ statement could be interpreted to also mean that entering into heaven would not be based on political, religious, ethnic, and socio-cultural considerations, but rather, on one’s commitment and ability to go through the way that leads to eternal life. It will not depend on who you know, who is recommending you, your position and status in society and church, or how much you have got. 

    Rather, it is your faith and good works. It will depend on one’s ability and cooperation with divine grace to shun sin, evil and the distractions of the world, and be able to stand against injustice, favoritism, partiality, discrimination, greed,  corruption, unfair treatment of fellow humans, oppressive regimes and all forms of subjugation and domination. It will depend on ones ability to do good and shun evil. At the end of the day, Jesus gives us a model to adopt: he came to serve, not to be served. He wants us to be at the service of the poor, marginalized, oppressed and unjustly treated, rather than the other way round. I guess James and John eventually got the message. 

    I hope we too also get the message that the Politics of Who You Know may not always fetch a person what he wants, or take him where he wants, especially if he does not work hard, remain focussed and committed to certain core values and virtues of life, and keep doing the right thing. By extension, this might likely be the determinant factor of who wins the forthcoming presidential election in Nigeria, come 2023. Will the politics of who you know that breeds racism, tribalism, bigotry, and nepotism play out this time around? However, yes, the fact remains that the politics of who you know will not take anyone to heaven in the final analysis.

     

    Rev. Fr. Valentine Anaweokhai

    anavalobee@gmail.com

  • Beyond the politics of endorsement – By Promise Adiele

    Beyond the politics of endorsement – By Promise Adiele

    The innocuous word ‘endorsement’ presently enjoys celebrity status in Nigerian politics. ‘Endorsement’, hitherto prevalent in the register of advertisement where persons of appreciable popularity approve of a product, has surreptitiously crept into Nigeria’s political lexicon. Unlike in advertisement where ‘endorsement’ maintains an unruffled facade, its identity in politics connotes blessing and support, but sometimes betrayal, deceit, and a tragic presage. While in advertisement ‘endorsement’ simply means approval, in politics, it maintains a positive affirmation but also adorns a sinister complexion. When in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar Decius, one of the conspirators came to cajole Caesar to the Capitol, he preyed on Caesar’s longing for flattering by informing him that the Senators had endorsed him to be crowned the same day. That was a lie. The Senators who purportedly endorsed Caesar were vicious conspirators that eventually murdered him in the most barbaric manner. A misplaced, irrational political endorsement can, in all its gratifying potential, lead to tragic consequences, especially for those intoxicated with the lure of power. Caesar believed the deceit of endorsement, ignored his wife’s warnings and the entire soothsayer’s prognosis about the Ides of March. He met his waterloo.

    Nigeria’s political canvas is never short of inscrutable, recondite preoccupation which challenges the people’s claim to intelligence and independence. The originators of these preoccupations summarily mystify the entire process to satisfy a yawning, inordinate appetite. They do not care for a second if they look stupid as long as they mislead the people, violate public peace, and cause confusion in the body politic. According to Nigeria’s political jobbers, the air we breathe must be politicised. The flight of birds in the air must be given political interpretation. Arsenal vs Chelsea must be analysed and understood along the lines of Nigerian politics. The taste of bitter kola against the sound of it in the mouth must certainly not escape Nigeria’s political exegeses. All of these must in one way or another provide a peep into how the people will vote as if the electorate are zombies from another planet.

    The newfound love for political jobbers in Nigeria now is the politics of endorsement. I have been intrigued to no end as to how Nigeria’s current political discourse has recently centred on the endorsement of various political office seekers, especially presidential candidates. From the North to the South, East to the West, the current political champion right now is an endorsement. It appears anyone endorsed by any group in the country has won the election rendering the efforts and posturing of the electorate inconsequential. In 2015, Nigerians endorsed the current government and did so again in 2019. Towards the 2023 elections, Nigerians must be wary not to redefine endorsement as a systemic enthronement of handicapped leadership which inevitably leads to the imposition of hardship and suffering. It is obvious that the collective endorsements of 2015 and 2019 were huge mistakes but the continuous pleading of ‘it is well’ in the face of harsh living conditions has proved to be a genuine extenuating gesture. Now, it is time to set aside the “it is well” cold refrain – that unction of uncommon hypnosis fawned by the timid and their defeated consciences. It cannot be well when people consciously endorse a pathetic candidate in an election.

    With endorsement dominating Nigeria’s political discourse, one’s intellect is inundated by different ideological pressures to rationalise what seems an odious reality. But rationalization must be informed by reason to save one from sliding into mental abstraction. Let’s face the truth – in real politics, the ultimate endorsers are the people, the electorate with valid voter cards to do the needful. It is laughable, in fact, ridiculous that Nigerians should worry about what group has endorsed a candidate and what other group has not endorsed another candidate. I am aware of the influence groups and sundry elements can wield in politics when they privately endorse a candidate. But that is applicable under normal circumstances. The Nigerian circumstance is not normal therefore, endorsement of any kind has lost all the glory and relevance associated with modern-day politicking. In Nigeria today, those who endorse privately belong to the upper-class echelon and therefore are immune from the harsh socio-economic realities in the country.

    Look at Ohaneze, Afenifere, Arewa, and other notable groups across the country. Their chairmen and spokespersons wine and dine with the high and mighty, they are big men and women all of them. It is therefore an existential delusion to imagine that these people, by their private endorsement of any candidate speak for the impoverished, hunger-ravaged masses. Some of these people promoting endorsement as if it is the real election conceive Nigerians as idiots. Well, I believe Nigerians are not stupid or are they? Political office seekers in Nigeria now, especially the presidential candidates should be circumspect about those they visit for endorsement. Julius Caesar was endorsed by the Senators to be crowned but it was a different type of endorsement. Macbeth was endorsed by the witches to become a king but was afflicted with a morbid desire for power which led to his downfall. Endorsement seekers beware. This warning does not require any mental elaboration, it is simple and straight to the point.

    There is an emergency in Nigeria under the APC-led administration. Every right-thinking person is aware of this reality. The real endorsement will be done at the polls next year and it will be carried out by the victims of serial economic plundering, insecurity, inflation, corruption, non-existing Medicare and a somnolent educational system. Towards the 2023 elections, I am a bit worried that of Nigeria’s estimated population of 200 million people, less than 100 million people registered to vote. In Brazil during the just concluded general elections, 154.4 million voters participated out of a population of 214 million people. In the 2018 elections in that country, 147 million people voted. In Nigeria, less than 100 million people do not represent the suffering, vanquished masses. Everyone registered to vote should be ready to participate in the elections in Nigeria. Effective, valid endorsement is carried out by the direct recipients of government policies and not by those whose bread is buttered irrespective of the character in power.

    The all-important question is – when Nigerians go to the polls next year, what will they be endorsing? Will they endorse a fraudulent change mantra conceived and packaged in 2015 which has led Nigerians to the precipice? Indeed, will Nigerians be endorsing broken promises which have destroyed the family unit due to the high cost of living? While at endorsement, Nigerians must remember that a bag of rice now costs N45,000 and the price per litre of petrol is N200. All Nigerian public university lecturers and students must surely have something to endorse. Nigerians should decide whether to endorse the monumental stealing of their crude oil through which the country bleeds excessively. Till today, no one has been arrested. Life goes on. Certainly, Nigerians must decide whether to endorse backwardness, polarized polity, expensive cost of governance, broad daylight robbery by former governors in the guise of pensions and other entrenched absurdities. Please, kindly decide whether to endorse Aso Rock as a convalescent home for old, infirm people who should be recuperating and enjoying their retirement.

    At this time, Nigerians must decide what they want. Brazil just endorsed a new beginning by voting out an anti-people, corrupt, wasteful government. Indeed, the supreme endorsement resides with the people. The Nigerian political endorsement resides with Nigerians and not some bourgeois, aristocratic class that is not affected by the vagaries of government policies. Will Nigerians, in all their glory and famed sophistication endorse candidates with fraudulent academic records, indeterminate age, mysterious genealogy, uncertain health conditions, and a damning verdict by former President Obasanjo and another elder statesman Bode George – those who know better. It is only a tragic generation that will endorse affliction for the third time. Let 2023 come quickly. Authentic endorsement beckons.

  • ‘I can no longer play partisan politics in Nigeria’ – Ex-PDP spokesman resigns from party

    ‘I can no longer play partisan politics in Nigeria’ – Ex-PDP spokesman resigns from party

    A former national publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has resigned his membership from the party.

    Metuh’s resignation was contained in a letter he wrote to the PDP national chairman, Dr Iyochia Ayu, dated October 25 on Wednesday.

    He also said he has submitted his resignation letter to the ward chairman of the party in his home State of Anambra.

    According to the letter, titled “Resignation From The PDP”, Metuh said, “During my three weeks trip for medical and personal reasons, I came to the realization that I can no longer play partisan politics in Nigeria. The reason for this decision is that from my experience and the nature of politics and development in Nigeria, I believe that I will contribute more to Democracy and good governance in Nigeria by being non-partisan. Being Non-Partisan gives me the status to work for the strategic interest and well-being of the Nigerian people without the hinderance of partisanship.

    “In that regard, I write respectfully, to formally inform you of my resignation from the PDP and cessation of partisan politics.

    “I have duly enjoyed my membership of the PDP and remain proud of being the longest elected member of the National Executive Committee, one who won election to serve in several national positions at six (6) consecutive National Conventions of the Party. I will cherish the values and ideals learnt from the founding fathers at the inception of our nascent democracy.

    “Any future participation in politics will only be limited to non-partisan involvements in areas of sustaining and deepening democracy and governance in Nigerian and at the global level.

    “I pray you continue to insist on issue-based engagement in our political space as the country cannot afford the bitterness and divisions that may arise otherwise.

    “ In line with the constitution of the PDP, I have forwarded a copy of my resignation to my ward Chairman. May God bless us all.”

  • What my wife told me before joining politics – Banky W reveals

    What my wife told me before joining politics – Banky W reveals

    Popular Nigerian musician turned politician, Banky W, has revealed what his wife, Adesua Etomi told him before joining active politics in 2018.

    Banky W said that he joined politics to make changes even though his wife told him ‘you know politics in Nigeria is dirty’.

    The Peoples Democratic Party House of Representatives candidate for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency made this known during an interview on Arise TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday.

    While narrating his passion for a better Nigeria, he said, “I have participated in peaceful protests just like anybody that I know among my peers.

    “But the goal of activism and advocacy is improvement and if you haven’t seen the impact you seek, then that activism is not enough.

    “So, for me, the message started changing from just raising awareness via activism and advocacy to saying we have to start moving from protests to politics.

    “We have to start taking these energies and channeling them toward getting like-minds into the government and using that consensus of like-minds to get a change and that is where my mindset started changing and in 2018 I started feeling like the problem in Nigeria is top-down and the solution is from the bottom up.

    “And I started thinking that if with my education, success, background, audience, following, and voice and I can’t stick my neck out that I can be a part of this system and can bring a solution to the table, who am I waiting for to get involved in the system?

    “So, in 2018, I prayed about it and I informed my wife and what she told me was that ‘you know politics in Nigeria is dirty and I know your heart and I know the system is what it is and I don’t want anything that will soil your hands’ and I told her that the truth of the matter is politics will always be dirty and dangerous until good people start to be intentional about putting like-minds in the system.”

  • What Nigerians need to know about late PDP ex-Chairman, Ogbulafor – Atiku

    What Nigerians need to know about late PDP ex-Chairman, Ogbulafor – Atiku

    The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007), Atiku Abubakar, has described Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, who recently passed away, as a level-headed individual with a pan-Nigerian outlook on politics and life.

    Expressing shock and sadness over the passing away of Ogbulafor, a former Minister, Atiku revealed that his friendship with the deceased was targeted at reforming Nigeria’s economy after many years of military plundering.

    In his words: “Vincent Ogbulafor was my friend and colleague from the early days of our great party, the PDP; a platform with which we won the presidential election of 1999 and 2003 and formed the federal cabinet from 1999 to 2003; a government in which we worked together to reform Nigeria’s economy after many years of military plundering.

    “As a minister of State of the Federal Republic, he contributed his quote with an open mind in the economic reforms process that we embarked on.”

    According to Atiku, these attributes made the stakeholders of the PDP trust him (Ogbulafor) to play the stabilizing role in the party at its challenging times when he was given the responsibility of being the National Secretary; a position that he handled to the best of his ability thus leading to his elevation as the National Chairman of the party.

    What Nigerians need to know about late PDP ex-Chairman, Ogbulafor - Atiku
    Prince Vincent Ogbulafor,

    ‘‘Our party and country owe Vincent a lot for his services, and I am worried by his death because it has robbed us of his immense experience and statesmanship which would have aided our pursuit for peace and reconciliation among the members of our great party as we head towards another Presidential election in 2023″, the former Vice President added.

    Atiku expressed his deepest condolences to the Ogbulafor family of Umuahia, the government and people of Abia State and the PDP on the loss.

    He prays to Almighty God to forgive him his sins, receive his soul and console his family and the friends and associates he has left behind.

  • We’ll continue to ensure freedom of speech robust political discourse – Buhari

    We’ll continue to ensure freedom of speech robust political discourse – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that participation of citizens in democracy will continue to be encouraged through freedom of speech and robust political discourse,

    The president stated this when he received Letters of Credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners of six countries at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    He urged respect for divergent cultures and opinions, and upholding the unity of the country.

    According to him, Nigeria’s strength remains in its diversity, and the constant differences in positions further signpost a strong democratic culture.

    The High Commissioners of Republic of India, Mr Gangadharan Balasubramanian; Germany, Mrs Annett Gunther and that Democratic Republic of Congo, Mrs Gerengbo Pascaline presented their letters to President Buhari.

    Others that presented their letters of credence at the event were those of Sudan, Mr Mohamed Abdelmannan; State of Palestine, Abdullah Abu Shawesh and The Kingdom of Netherlands, Mr Willem Wouter Plomp.

    “As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, you will realise how diverse Nigeria is.

    ”We are not only multi-ethnic and religious but also multi-cultural. We enjoy unfettered freedom of speech and engage in robust political discourses.

    ”Sometimes, the nature of these discourses, tend to give the impression that we are constantly opposed to each other.

    “The reality is that there is so much that bind us together than the few areas of our divergence.

    ”I have no doubts in my mind that you will soon appreciate our uniqueness and indeed resilience as a people, as well as our diversity which constitutes our strength,’’ he said.

    Buhari urged the diplomats to build on the existing good relations that their predecessors had achieved by being more proactive in engagements.

    “Today’s occasion, during which you have just presented your Letters of Credence to me, officially marks the formal assumption of your representational duties as Ambassadors/High Commissioners of your respective countries to Nigeria.

    “You represent some of the most prominent countries on the earth and some of our important trading, political and cultural partners.

    “The bilateral relationship that exists between each of your countries and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is warm and very cordial, and the cooperation and collaboration between us in several areas, such as socio-economic, political, security, education and cultural spheres,’’ he noted.

    On the forthcomig 2023 general elections, President Buhari said: “I am highly optimistic that we will conduct a good transition process at the end of which a new set of political leaders will freely emerge.

    “You are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria, at very interesting political period as Nigeria’s national elections are due in February 2023.

    ”I want to state again, as I did just a few days ago at the UN General Assembly, that we remain committed to free and fair elections.”

    The president called for more collectiveness in tackling some of the challenges faced by nations, noting that the climatic, economic and security concerns could only be solved through shared vision, skills and efforts.

    “We are living in unprecedented global challenging time. Early in 2020, much of the world was forced to shut down on account of COVID-19.

    ”The catastrophic impact of the pandemic has been across our nations not just in terms of tragic loss of millions of lives, but also massive loss of livelihoods and the resultant economic recession.

    ”Just as we are recovering, the war in Ukraine came to impact negatively on global economy.

    ”Meanwhile, we are faced with the urgency to take collective actions to stop the devastating consequences of climate change that manifest every day in parts of the world.

    “The various factors that account for these challenges are beyond the capacity of any single country to effectively contain them alone.

    ”Hence, the necessity for all of us to work closely together to build consensus in order to overcome them and also minimise tensions and confrontations amongst and between ourselves,’’ he said.

    According to Buhari, Nigeria firmly remains committed to multilateralism.

    He said: ”For us in Nigeria, we continue to make steady progress, despite the daunting challenges of insecurity, in the fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance, amongst other things.”

    The president reassured that at the sub-regional and regional levels, Nigeria would continue to work with other member-states of ECOWAS and other regional blocs.

    This, he said, would deal with the problems of terrorism, trans-border crimes, banditry, maritime issues, proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, unconstitutional change of government, to mention some of the sub-regional challenges

    While welcoming the ambassadors and High Commissioners, and their families to Nigeria, Buhari wished them a rewarding tour of duty.

    On behalf of the diplomats, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria assured the president of the full support of their countries, especially as Nigeria counts down to the 2023 elections.

    According to him, they will work with the Buhari government, and the leader that emerges after elections.

    Balasubramanian said all the Ambassadors and High Commissioners would work to consolidate on existing good relations.

    ”While Germany would focus on climatic issues, The Kingdom of Netherlands would be pursuing interests in agriculture and stimulating youths’ capacity in entrepreneurship,” he said.

  • We didn’t deny seven million Nigerians registration – INEC

    We didn’t deny seven million Nigerians registration – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied reports in the media that it denied seven million citizens opportunity to register as voters in the last Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) Exercise.

    INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye stated this in a statement.

    He said the claim is misleading and untrue, and urged the public to disregard such stories.

    24 Nigerians filed a lawsuit against INEC with the claim that they and other seven(7) million Nigerians were not given adequate time and opportunity to complete their voters’ registration after they had carried out their registration online.

    He stated, “To set the record straight, Nigerians may recall that on 28th June 2021, the Commission introduced the online pre-registration of voters.

    “By doing so, citizens were given the opportunity to commence the registration online and then book an appointment at their convenience to complete the physical biometric capture at designated centres.

    Also Read: Why we spend so much to conduct elections; INEC

    “It was a novel idea leveraging technology to ease the registration process. This was in addition to the walk-in option at physical centres, where Nigerians can commence and complete their registration simultaneously without going through the online pre-registration procedure.

    “In the interest of transparency, the Commission provided weekly statistical updates on the exercise,” he said.

    According to him, for the online pre-registration, a total of 10,487,972 commenced the process. However, by the deadline of the exercise, 3,444,378 Nigerians completed their pre-registration physically at the designated centres in line with the Commission’s policy. Some 7,043,594 applicants did not complete the registration.

    Okoye further noted that the Commission made the information public. “This is what some people are now using to say that they were denied the opportunity when in reality they failed to either complete the online enrolment or appear physically at the designated centres to complete the process.

    “A breakdown of the 7,043,594 incomplete online pre-registrations is as follows:

    “That 4,161,775 citizens attempted but either did not complete online pre-registration or abandoned it and went for the physical registration instead.

    “And 2,881,819 registrants completed the online pre-registration but did not show up to complete the physical biometric capture at designated centres before the deadline.

    “Therefore, it is clear that no Nigerians were deliberately denied the opportunity to complete their online pre-registration,” the chairman stated.

    Okoye appealed for the citizens to always adhere to timelines against the endless agitation for the eleventh-hour extension of set deadlines.

  • What I would quit acting for – Legendary actor, Dele Odule reveals

    What I would quit acting for – Legendary actor, Dele Odule reveals

    Legendary actor, Dele Odule, has revealed he might quit acting to focus on politics full time if that is the only way to fight for the right of his people.

    He claimed his community in Oru, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun is currently being trespassed by the people of another community but no one seemed interested in doing anything.

    Dele Odule spoke with DAILY POST, discloed why he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He stated that he joined the PDP when the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu assured him that his administration when elected, would wade into the matter to avoid a total breakdown of law and order.

    However, Odule said he would quit if his desires are not met by the PDP as promised; saying that an entertainer is not supposed to align with any political group.

    He maintained that Adebutu, while in the House of Representatives, sponsored a bill that would have had a positive impact on the nation’s entertainment industry.

    His words: “I have the freedom to join any political party that I like. But, ordinarily, as an entertainer, I do believe that we actually don’t need to align ourselves with any political party.

    “But let me tell you why I have decided to pitch my tents with the PDP. Wherever your treasure is, you have to guard it jealously.

    “As an entertainer, I remember that when Adebutu was at the lower house of the National Assembly, he tried for the entertainment industry because he actually sponsored a bill that would have affected the entertainment industry positively. If he had remained there, I’m very sure that the bill would have been passed because it has gotten to the second reading. I was at the National Assembly myself when I was the President of TAMPPAN.

    “Anybody that is ready to support entertainment in Nigeria, definitely that person will be my favourite. That’s the bitter truth.

    “Secondly, I don’t like where people are being cheated unnecessarily. I am very sure that you have come across this thing that is going on between Ago Iwoye and Oru. It is not because I’m from Oru in Ijebu but I would have expected the government of Ogun State to wade in by now.

    ”I don’t believe in communal war or clash but if someone is infringing on another person’s territory and for many years and the Oru people went for a press conference to say the government should wade into this matter because Ago Iwoye is actually infringing and encroaching on the land of Oru Ijebu, the state government should have intervened by now.

    “It’s over two weeks now and yet nothing is coming out. So I want to believe that any party that actually romances me that if I’m part of them they will make me have a voice and make an impact, I will go, regardless of the name of that party. I don’t care about any party this time around, I just want to make my impact felt. If I get there and they didn’t meet up to my expectations, then I will quit, nothing stops me from quitting; quote me!

    “I’m a very practical person. If I get there and the needful is not done, I will leave. They have given me a platform to come in first, no other party have done that in the past. I’ve never been a politician, I was not ready to be a politician but these people said if I’m part of them, they will give me every opportunity to voice my mind and I said okay. If I get there and my voice is not respected and I know I’m actually saying the truth, then I will quit. If not because

    “You know I’ve said earlier that an entertainer should not align himself or herself with any political party, then I’m ready to quit acting. I am ready to quit acting for this mission.

    “I will fight for the entertainment industry and for justice till I die. My mission is to save my people, give them a voice and to prevent Ago Iwoye from infringing on Oru land. I would have done that for any land, even if it is Yewa. If it Ilaro encroaching on Iwoye, if it Would encroaching on Oja Odan, I would have said and done the same thing. It’s not because Oru is my town.”

  • Peter Obi is driving Christians into politics – Okowa alleges

    Peter Obi is driving Christians into politics – Okowa alleges

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has accused the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi of dragging Christians into politics over his outing to churches.

    Okowa, who spoke with reporters in Kano State on Wednesday, said he does not believe in dragging the church into partisan politics, stressing that politics is not the calling of the church.

    He lamented that out of desperation, some presidential candidates are currently reaching out to anything even at the detriment of their faith just to win the February 2022 election.

    “Now you begin to look at what is going on; the Peter Obi factor is as if he is trying to go through the church and make it look as if he is driving the Christians into politics. I do not believe that the church should actively go into politics because that is not their calling.

    “But people are just hanging to anything they can reach out to even to the detriment of their fate. I don’t believe that’s the right part to go,” he said.

  • TRENDING: Jackboots politics displayed as Gov Inuwa demolishes PDP secretariat in Gombe +Photos

    TRENDING: Jackboots politics displayed as Gov Inuwa demolishes PDP secretariat in Gombe +Photos

    Jackboots politics has been flagrantly displayed in Gombe State as Governor Mohammed Inuwa moves caterpillars to demolish the opposition PDP secretariat in Gombe.

    TheNewsGuru com, (TNG) reports agents of the Gombe State government have demolished the campaign headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji Jibrin Muhammad Barde.

    The demolition squad which came with a bulldozer was reinforced with heavy security who fired tear gas and live ammunition to drive away resistance. In the chaos vehicles in the vicinity were damaged with windshields broken.

    The demolition squad was reportedly sent by a very high level political actor in the state a source privy to the development told revealed.

    The reason for the demolition was not immediately clear.