Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will Saturday hold a presidential campaign rally for the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Announcing the preparation of the party for the rally at a press briefing in Lagos, Wednesday, the director general of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the presidential campaign in Lagos state Campaign Council, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, said the rally will be a homecoming for the former Lagos state governor and the national leader of the party.
Solomon said the rally holds a promise for mass attendance by members of the APC and members of the general public because of the popularity of the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, whom he said has remained the most consistent, and the biggest contributor and the most visible democratic icon since the advent of democratic dispensation in 1999.
“You may wish to recall that Asiwaju Tinubu excelled as a Senator of the Federal Republic representing Lagos – West Senatorial District, and as the governor of Lagos state between 1999 and 2007. Therefore, the event is like a homecoming for our leader and mentor who has become a national pride.
“As a responsible political party, it is imperative to seek the cooperation of members of the general public as regards the need for temporary diversion of traffic and mass movement of supporters within the vicinity of the rally.”
On security arrangement, Senator Solomon reassured members of the public that men of the Nigerian Police Force, LASTMA officials and other law enforcement agencies would be fully mobilised to ensure that the rally will be an event devoid of the security infractions and traffic disruptions.
Speaking about security measures put in place because of the anticipated large number of people that will attend the rally, the party chairman in the state, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, said, “On the issue of security, we will try to make the venue very conducive for all.”
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Tuesday fixed November 25, to hear the preliminary objection filed by a former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, in his trial over alleged N3.1 billion fraud.
Okorocha is facing the fraud charges alongside Anyim Nyerere, Naphtali International Ltd, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Ltd, Consolid Projects Consulting Ltd, Pramif International Ltd and Legend World Concepts Ltd.
When the matter came up, Okorocha’s counsel, Ola Olanipekun, SAN, told the court that the business of the day was for hearing of a motion on notice seeking to quash the 17-count charge slammed against Okorocha by the federal government.
In his argument, the prosecution, Abdallah said he had filed a counter affidavit to the first defendant’s motion on notice and was
Olanipekun said he served the reply Tuesday because the prosecution’s counter affidavit was served on him late Friday.
Kogi East Christian Elders Forum has launched 10 Million Naira Flood Victims Appeal Fund to support those affected by floods in the state, just as they tasked politicians and parties to play politics of inclusiveness ahead of the 2023 general elections in order to move Nigeria consciously and developmentally forward.
This can only be attained if they are sensitive to the realities of the multi- religious, multi-tribal and multi- cultural character of Nigeria.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the Forum’s National Prayer Congress held Wednesday in Ankpa, Kogi State.
The communique which was jointly signed by the National President of the Forum, Pst Joseph Egwuda, and the National Coordinator, Engr Samuel L.S Salifu, reads in part, “
The Forum outrightly condemned the issue of same faith ticket adopted and practiced by some insensitive politicians and political parties.
“That politicians and parties must be sensitive to the realities of the multi-religious, multi-tribal and multi-cultural character of Nigeria and play the politics of inclusiveness in order to move Nigeria consciously and developmentally forward.
The Forum notes with grave concern the present plight of citizens of Kogi State that suffered devastation of flood and therefore appealed to participants and others to donate generously to the Flood Victims Fund which will be transmitted along with the list of the donors to His Royal Majesty, Attah Igala for distribution latest 15th of December 2022. The Forum is targeting Ten million Naira.
“As a matter of urgency, the advocacy for restructuring, is an eye opener and the only way all regions can own, control and market their own resources and bring equity to our competitiveness and development as a nation
“The strength of dialogue as the weapon of choice demands that we must never miss any opportunity to give listening ears to each other and close our divides as fast as possible.
The Forum believes that Kogi State has had the history of tolerance, inclusiveness and brotherly love across all divides, hence the need for all to reject all types of vendors of political acrimony
“Because of the present precarious Security position of the country, the Forum strongly caution Christian youths and office seekers to avoid violence in all ramifications.
“The Forum observes with appreciation, the comparatively peaceful disposition of Kogi State pioneered by the State Administration.
“The Forum emphasizes the need for all denominations and their affiliates to pray fervently for the peace of Nigeria .
“While advocating a strong Voter Education, the Forum said INEC must be seen to be visibly transparent in the forthcoming general elections”.
With the theme, “With God, We can do Valiantly,” the Congress featured prayers, sermons and a keynote address on ” Repositioning Nigeria For Greater Political Development: The Options For Middle Belt” delivered by the National President of the Middle forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu.
Dr. Pogu reminded the participants of their peculiar character as christians of the Middle Belt extraction strategically positioned by God to beam the light of the Gospel.
Having defined the Middle Belt and its antecedents, Dr. Pogu called on all and sundry to shun the politics of money, religion and nepotism, all of which had hitherto negatively affected the development of the Middle Belt and the entire country.
The Middle Belt Forum President emphasized that Christian Elders are divinely positioned to put a stop to the menace which the present Administration has used to bring the entire country to its knees- taken loans to the detriment of future generations, when ironically rich enough, to lend to many.
Dr. Pogu said the Middle Belt should beam the light of common sense, equity, and justice on both the political North and political South, advocating the need to have the next leadership of this country from the South- specifically South East, in the person of the Labour Party candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
The engine room of the “Obi For President” movement is the youth who are looking to secure their today and future . We enjoin everyone of goodwill to cooperate with this lofty aspiration of the youths.
The Prayer Congress was attended by Christian Elders, traditional rulers from home and in the diaspora and most importantly, His Royal Majesty, Attah Igala, Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa ll who was represented by the Odoma Attah, Chief Jacob Ocheni to deliver the Royal goodwill message for prosperity and unity in the land.
The communique added that goodwill messages were received from political party candidates and aspirants as well as some socio- cultural and political organizations of like minds, including the Middle Belt Forum, Igbo Nation, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEV) and Yoruba Nation
The Kogi East Christian Elders Forum, KECEF comprises all denominations in Igala and Bassa speaking area of the State
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