Senior Pastor Shekinah Global Ministries Rev Danjuma Byang has denied some news reports circulating on the social media that he admitted collecting millions of Naira as ‘transport money’ from Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress when the Northern Pentecostal Bishops hosted him in Abuja
Rev Byang,in a statement in Jos on Tuesday made available to Kwararafa Reporters expressed shock that the the fetitious reports also alleged that he Rev Byang said Tinubu gave Archbishop John Praise Daniel N100 million, while other Bishops in attendance collected monies ranging from 50 million, 20 million and 10 million depending on their ranks!
” I wish to put it on record that I did not write or say anything like that anywhere or to anyone!”
According to him,”For avoidance of doubt, I did not say I regretted collecting any money from Tinubu! And I did not say any body collected any money from Tinubu! I did not collect any such money and I didn’t see anyone collecting it!” Byang stressed
Byang said the reports credited to him are tissues of lies from the enemies of the gospel, calculated to tarnish his reputation and that of the conveners of the meeting!
” Ultimately, it is a mischievous slander meant to create confusion among Christians and set brother against brother, and to destroy the Church’s resolve to unite and give Christians a sense of direction in the 2023 general elections!” Byang warned
According to him, ” As it has been explained by the conveners of the meeting, the meeting with Tinubu was meant to interface with him on the thorny issue of the day; the Muslim/Muslim ticket. It was to hear him out and also to express our concerns to him as Christians in the North about it. And this was wonderfully done during the meeting!”
He stressed that this type of interface is ongoing with different political candidates meeting with different groups and organizations.
” Therefore, this effort should have been applauded and appreciated by all! It is uncharitable to impute base motives to a meeting with a clear and honorable objective!”
Byang lamented that the mudslinging going on is not going to help Christians put up an impregnable and united front in their desire to salvage Nigeria from the precipice, where it is now hanging, advising that “We must stop name calling and put our heads together to move forward” Rev Byang advised.
Bishop Jonas Katung, President and founder of living stone Church Assembly on Friday that declared that Pentecostal Bishops from the Northern Nigeria should be Commended for taking the plight of Northern Christians before APC presidential candidate on his choice of Muslim-Running mate from North during their recent interface with Tinubu rather than being condemned by the likes of former Secretary to the federal government of the federation Babachir Lawal and group.
Bishopric Katung who stated this in an interview with Newsmen in Jos on Friday said the recent comments made by former secretary to the Federal Government,Baba Chir Lawal over their meeting with Tinubu was done out of mischief. According to him, Lawal’s description of the respected church leaders as fake Bishop’s was simply because the Bishops gave Lawal’s friend (Tinubu) turned enemy a chance to be heard.
He said Lawals actions depicts how low he can go for his selfish ambition even if it means smearing God’s anointed servants.“Of course Baba Chir Lawal, who does not belong to the Pentecostal fold is in no way qualified to access who a Bishop is or question their call” -Bishop Katung. Bishop Katung said Lawal may have the right to disagree with the steps taken by the northern Pentecostal Bishop’s but he has no right to impugn their integrity or use uncouth language against them.
He said while Babachir Lawal was busy chasing the vain things of this world, these men of God labored over the years to raise congregation of royal priesthoods for the kingdom.
He advised Lawal to toe the part of caution as he pursues his selfish ambition and not to use the church to fight his personal battles. According to Bishop Katung, their meeting with Tinubu,APC presidential candidate was as a result of the controversy generated by the nomination of Senator Kashim Shettima as vice presidential candidate of the APC by Bola Ahmed Tinubu occasioning a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the APC for 2023 presidential election.
Bishop Katung added that the choice of Shettima as running mate has brought about divergent voices across the polity especially within the Christian community which expressed disapproval of same .
“As church leaders and concerned citizens,we as a group of Pentecostal Bishop’s from Northern Nigeria,the region which is most agrived by the same faith ticket decision of the APC, decided to engage with Bola Ahmed Tinubu the person who is at the center of the controversy to express the concerns and fears of the Christian community not only in Northern Nigeria but the country as a whole and to give him opportunity to explain his decision”
.Katung said “As Arc Bishop John praise Aptly captures it at the interface ,this is in line with the biblical principle as contained in John 7:51 that no one should be condemned without first giving him a hearing,a principle that is also encapsulated in the constitution of our country” –
Bishop Katung stressed .He said at the meeting with Tinubu , notable and respected church leaders including Arc Bishop John praise the national vice president of Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Rev Danjuma byang all spoke to highlight the marginalization and injustice meted to Christians in the north over the years which has created mistrust in northern Christians over the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC..
According to Bishop Katung, they emphasised at the meeting that the interface was not in any way an endorsement of the same faith of the APC, adding that it is important to note that the church consist of members who belongs to different political parties and not being partisan.
“Church must not portray a posture of antagonism to any political party without first having a full appreciation of their decisions and actions” – Bishop Katung.
Katung said, the efforts of the church leaders to bring to the attention of the APC flag bearer the plight and fears Christians of northern Nigeria ought to be commended by all people of good will especially Christians .
He added that it came to him as a shock that Babachir Lawal an eleventh hour Christian champion had the effrontery to describe these church leaders as fake Bishops in his ill motivated recent press statement.
He questioned Babachir Lawal to know why it is now he has suddenly found his voice to speak for Christians in Nigeria?.
According to Bishop Katung,it is on record that Lawal was secretary to the Federal Government under Buhari adminstration for about three years before he was unceremoniously relieved of the position for conduct not in Accord with Christian teachings and that it was during that time Christians suffered unimaginable marginalization in appointments in to offices by the government and Lawal did nothing to save the situation because he did not want to put his position to risk .
He asked that Babachir Lawal should tell the whole people of the North the impact he made on the church while he was in office that qualifies him to become a champion of the Christian faith in northern Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole .
Bishop Katung warned that Lawal should not be allowed to use the church to fight his selfish battles as he Lawal was never there for the church and cannot now speak for the church .
2023 – PDP can win Plateau elections without Governor Wike’s support – EX SSG Professor Best .
Onoja Onoja Jos
Former Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Prof Shedrak Best on Monday assured the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic party Atiku Abubakar that he will win Plateau State in the 2023 Presidential election without the Support of Governor Nyemson Wike of Rivers State.
Professor Best the Protem Secretary of Plateau PDP Stakeholders stated this while addressing newsmen after a meeting held at the residence of Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, Nigeria former Ambassador to Switzerland.
According to him, in 2019 ,the former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar won the Presidential election in Plateau State even without the support of Gov Wike of Rivers State ..
According to Professor Shedrak Best their party has been around since 1999 and has been winning elections when there was no Wike stressing that the People of the state are with the PDP and that they are good to go .
“Baba Kwande is a father to us and he is experienced ,he is a rallying point to all of us and that is what we need ” .,he added .
Professor Best further said that “As you all are aware ,we are here to deliberate and unite the party inorder to work for the victory of our party in the forthcoming Presidential and Governorship election .”
” We want to go to the election as a united party and we need a father figure ,an elder statesman in the person of our host Ambassador Yahaya Kwande .”
He added that the past Governor of the state Senator Jonah Jang and one time minster of the Federal Capital Territory Senator Jeremiah Timbut Useni were not invited to the meeting “It’s not that they boycotted the meeting .”
In his words ” The Governorship candidate of the party Barrister Caleb Mutfwang is currently out of town ,but he was represented at the meeting .”
Professor Best added that the PDP on the Plateau is ready for the forthcoming election, saying ” as you can see we are well represented at the meeting”.
Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Plateau state under the umbrella of the Plateau for Atiku Group have said the statement credited to former governor Jonah Jang, asking the national Chairman of the party, Dr Iyiorchia Ayu to resign should be taken as Plateau former Personal position and the group represents.
Secretary Of Plateau Group, Professor Best in a Press statement issued to newsmen in Jos and made available to Kwararafa Reporters,, neither the Party nor the stakeholders authorised any such position, and that what the former Governor said was his personal opinion and that of the group he represents.
In a statement signed by the Protem Secretary of the group, Prof Shedrack Best, the group frowned at the former Governor’s penchant for making statements that are not in tune with those of other stakeholders of the Party in the state.
Jang he said has been a member of Governor Nyesome Wike’s group which has been having a running battle with the National Chairman of the party since Wike lost the Presidential primaries to former vice president Atiku Abubakar.
“Our former governor Sen Dr Jonah Jang has made remarks contrary to the position of the stakeholders and its time we make clarifications. We dissociate ourselves from the position of the former governor. He did not speak for us neither did he for the party in the state. We stand by the Presidential candidate of the PDP.
As loyal party men and women, we encourage peaceful resolution of the impasse and not actions from senior members of the Party that will fuel it out of proportion. We therefore, stand by the National Chairman and our Presidential candidate .
“While we pray for an amicable resolution of the crisis for the party to take its bearing and prepare for victory, we are not happy that those who are in a position to offer constructive counsel and find solutions are adding to the crisis”.
The group called on the public to discountenance the statement of the former Governor saying,” Sen Jang alone cannot be the face of the party in the state, nor does he represent the correct stand on Atiku Abubakar’s candidature and his acceptability in the state.
‘”He is not our spokesman and he cannot decide for us.” Plateau people are united behind Atiku Abubakar and will proudly participate in all organs and activities of the campaigns leading to the victory of the Candidate and the Party.”
When contacted, Jang Media aide Clinton Garuba said what his principal is saying is that all should be given a sense of belonging a head of 2023 polls.
Delta South Senatorial District in Delta State, South South Nigeria, covers eight local governments: Bomadi, Burutu, Isoko North, Isoko South, Patani, Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West. The zone is predominantly an oil rich area of Delta State where the large chunk of the oil in the State is found thereby making this Senatorial District very strategic oil producing community. It is worthy to note that an illustrious son of this Senatorial District, a man who has paid his dues in the state had volunteered to hearken to the voice of his people to serve this Senatorial District in the new dispensation. Though a man of humble disposition, this quintessential homosaipen rose from nothing to something by dint of hardwork, resilience and by God’s grace and glory in his life. It is one thing to aspire to represent one,s people, it is another thing to be home and dry with the needs of the people for quality representation, because you cannot give what you don’t have. There must be genuine concern and compassion for the people, their challenges and expectations. Looking at the pedigree of Hon Diden Michael, popularly known as Ejele, you will agree with me that he is the right and best man to represent the good people of Delta South Senatorial District in the Hallowed chamber come June, 2023. His emergence in the primary election for the Senatorial seat of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP for the February 2023 Senatorial election conducted on May 23rd 2022 for Delta South Senatorial District was not by mere fluke, rather it was providential. Hon Diden Michael Ejele may not have been born with silver spoon in the mouth, but he worked tirelessly to stardom because he was focused and set his eyes on the ball. He is a man who loves his people dearly with all his heart; a sacrificial leader by all standards. Hon Ejele shares in the burden of his people, he understands and appreciates the plight of his people whom God had blessed immensely with rich natural resources, yet they are deprived the benefits of this God given endowment. He is ever determined to build an enduring legacy for the three ethnic nationalities of Delta South Zone by lifting many out of poverty. Hon Ejele,s versatility speaks volume of the rich experiences he had garnered over the years as a seasoned legislator, administrator and a faithful servant of God . He has been able to conveniently blend politics with the Ministry as an Evangelist of high repute. Hon Ejele without mincing words, has what it takes to lead Delta South Senatorial District to the promise land as he coasts to victory come February 25th, 2023. This sacrificial and selfless leader was elected into the Delta State House of Assembly in 2015, where he meritoriously served as the Deputy Chief Whip. Prior to that, he also served fantastically as Commissioner representing the Itsekiri nation on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. Afterwards, he later became the board Chairman of the special intervention agency in 2019. He also held sway as the Special Adviser to the then Governor of Delta State,Dr Emmanuel Udughan on Security matters. He brought his versed experience to bear as a grassroot mobilizer par excellence which resulted in the relative peace which is still being enjoyed in the state . He was able to turn DESOPADEC around with meaningful and impactful projects that would continue to stand the test of time in those communities where the projects are cited. It is on record that Hon Diden founded a political movement in Delta State alongside with some eminent Deltans known as the Delta Political Vanguard, DPV. Even the Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa attested to the invaluable role played by the DPV under the leadership of Hon Diden in the realization of his governorship ambition in 2015 as well as his re-election in 2019. Governor Okowa disclosed this in his congratulatory message to this worthy son of Delta State during his 57th birthday anniversary. Hon Diden is an ordained Evangelist, very conversant with the pulpit. He is the founder and General Overseer of Mega Praise Ministry International, with headquarters in Sapele , Delta State. The facts remains that Hon Diden has been a successful man in all ramifications despite all odds;he is an achiever and has fared well in all the appointments he held serving the state. He is a rare gem and his type is uncommon. He successfully served as a local government chairman, member Delta State House of Assembly, Commissioner DESOPADEC, Special Adviser on Security matters as well as Chairman DESOPADEC. These appointments placed him on a better stead as they afforded him the golden opportunity to touch lives and impact positively on the lives and well being of his people whom he hold in high esteem. His victory at the PDP primaries for Delta South Senatorial District is seen as the best that could happen to the good people of Delta South Zone.One thing is sure, Hon Ejele will certainly deliver on his campaign promises because he is tested and proven and above all, his love for his people knows no bounds. His style of politics is built in character, candour, love embedded with the fear of God. He knows where the shoes pinches and would stop at nothing to better the lives of his people at the upper legislative Chamber through robust representation. Finally, Hon Diden Michael, popularly known as Ejele is the man to beat; the right man for the job as Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District in the Hallowed chamber come June, 2023 by the grace of God. By Celestino Ogugua
Future African Leaders Foundation Presents ICT Center With 15 Computers to Magadali Community in Adamawa State.
Attai Audu Jos
Future African leaders foundation has set up an ICT Center with 15 Computers for the Magadali Community at Government Junior secondary school Shuwa in Adamawa state .
Coordinator of the foundation Isaac Ngigga while making his presentation, said the reason behind the establishment of a information Communication Technology center for the Magadali Community is to help in training the youths of the community that have been displaced by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group
According to him, 15 Computers were provided by the foundation to the community, saying this will go a long way in bring succour to them
On his part, District head of the community Alhaji Mustapha Sanusi applauded the effort of the Foundation through the provision of ICT Center for students and youths in the community which he knows will help in resettling them back to their homes having suffered losses during the siege by insurgency activities
According to him with the provisions, they know that the world has gone digitalised and therefore the ICT Centre will provide employment opportunities to residents of the locality.
The ICT Centre he said will go a long way in keeping the Youths busy and help in moving the community forward
Village head of mayo wando Village Musa lawan also expressed joy and gladness with the choice of his community as the beneficiary saying the centri has brought hope to the people
Principal of the school on his part, pleaded with other stakeholders in the state to follow the footsteps of the future African leaders foundation led by General overseer of Christ Embassy pastor Chris Oyekhlome to impact positively into the lives of millions of Nigerian youths through mentorship and leadership skills to the people
He called for further assistance for the school through provision of other basic facilities
Highlights of the event was the commissioning of the ICT Center by the district head and supported by Stakeholders.
has set up an ICT Center with 15 Computers for the Magadali Community at Government Junior secondary school Shuwa in Adamawa state .
Coordinator of the foundation Isaac Ngigga while making his presentation, said the reason behind the establishment of a information Communication Technology center for the Magadali Community is to help in training the youths of the community that have been displaced by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group
According to him, 15 Computers were provided by the foundation to the community, saying this will go a long way in bring succour to them
On his part, District head of the community Alhaji Mustapha Sanusi applauded the effort of the Foundation through the provision of ICT Center for students and youths in the community which he knows will help in resettling them back to their homes having suffered losses during the siege by insurgency activities
According to him with the provisions, they know that the world has gone digitalised and therefore the ICT Centre will provide employment opportunities to residents of the locality.
The ICT Centre he said will go a long way in keeping the Youths busy and help in moving the community forward
Village head of mayo wando Village Musa lawan also expressed joy and gladness with the choice of his community as the beneficiary saying the centri has brought hope to the people
Principal of the school on his part, pleaded with other stakeholders in the state to follow the footsteps of the future African leaders foundation led by General overseer of Christ Embassy pastor Chris Oyekhlome to impact positively into the lives of millions of Nigerian youths through mentorship and leadership skills to the people
He called for further assistance for the school through provision of other basic facilities
Highlights of the event was the commissioning of the ICT Center by the district head and supported by Stakeholders.
The Democratically elected Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council in Plateau State, Hon. Joshua Ubandoma has accused Governor Simon Làlong of his state of doing everything humanly possible to truncate democracy in Langtang North Local Government Area of the state .
Ubadoma, the only PDP elected Chairman in Plateau state told newsmen in Jos at the weekend,that he was being victimized by Làlong all this while because he refused to dump PDP to join the ruling APC on the Plateau, the party of Governor of Làlong on the Plateau.
According to him, he was elected to serve the good people of Langtang North LGA just like Làlong was elected for 4 years to serve the people of Plateau in accordance with the law, wondering why two years into his first tenure as Langtang North LGA Chairman, Làlong illegally removed him from office and put an impostor to replace him.
The Langtang North LGA Chairman said he took the state Government to court and won his suit against Simon Lalong and the state Government,but yet Làlong who claims to be a lawyer refused to obey court judgements of Jos high court and as well Appeal court judgements that were given in his favor.
Ubadoma said ” I have six courts judgements against the state government, challenging the illegal and forceful termination of my tenure but the governor has deliberately refused to grant him access to his office at his council secretariat to complete his one year tenure..
Ubandoma added he has written to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to pay the council workers their salary but Làlong government refused to honour the directive.
Ubandoma also disclosed that the court has frozen his Local Government’s account based on court judgments in his favour.
” I wrote in June and August, 2022 for government to release funds to pay my local government workers but the state government has remained adamant”.
“My victory in court is a victory for democracy in Nigeria, I can assure you that the precedence I have laid down on the Plateau will safe the present clueless APC administration in the state for imposing all local government chairmen without election”.
He accused Lalong of poising to destroy the Tarok people of Plateau state wondering why the out going Governor of Plateau state is poise to destroy the hard earned democracy that he is enjoying because there was no vacancy in Langtang North when purportedly imposed an impostor on Langtang North LGA in the name of conducting an election when there is no vacancy .” Ubadoma asked.
“Langtang North people should hold the Governor Lalong responsible for any break down of law in the council because the court orders and the judgements are not obeyed by Governor Làlong” He stressed.
Membership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Gombe State got a boost on Saturday when 616 card carrying members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) switched loyalty to the APC.
At the reception ceremony for the PDP decampees in Dukku Local Government Area of the State, Abubakar Umar-Goro, Gombe State Secretary of the APC, said the large number of people being received into the party showed there is no hope for any opposition parties in the State come 2023.
According to him, with the calibre of decampees received in the LGA, the APC in Gombe has “been further fortified and this means that our chances in 2023 are getting brighter.”
He added that this was possible because the APC led Government of Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya had entrenched good governance in the state.
Speaking for the decampees, a former PDP chieftain in the Local Government, Alhaji Kwairanga Dukku, who led the 616 PDP members from different wards within the Local Government, attributed their decision to join APC to the good and purpose-driven leadership style of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
Those who joined him into the APC included women and youth leaders in the area.
A member of the PDP Elders’ Forum in Dukku LGA, Alhaji Bappah Maru, while giving reasons for joining the APC said the efforts of the present administration in addressing water challenge in Dukku convinced him to join the APC.
Maru said their decision to join the APC was to appreciate the Governor Inuwa Yahaya-led administration for its people-oriented policies towards improving the wellbeing of the people of the Local Government and the state.
Vice chairman of the APC in Dukku LG, Alhaji Yahya Kole, thanked Governor Yahaya for delivering on his mandate to transform the state, adding “that is why we have become a party that everyone wants to join and we will keep receiving decampees as more are coming.”
In an interview with newsmen shortly after the event, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the large number being received showed that his administration was meeting the expectations of the people.
Governor Yahaya, who was represented by the state’s commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, said the addition would add value to the APC.
According to him, the addition would encourage his administration to deliver more dividends of democracy towards improving the wellbeing and welfare of the state.
He urged supporters of the party to remain strong and united going into the 2023 general election, adding that the unity of the party must be preserved by all stakeholders in the party.
He said all members of the party would be treated fairly in line with the principles of fairness and justice which the APC was known for.
“We are all brothers with equal rights in the party and everyone’s voice would be heard and we will carry everyone along in the task of developing the state,” he said.
Kwararafa Reporters 