The Parroters

No fewer than 500 prominent Christian clerics from the north and heads of different support groups within the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday met and unanimously requested for a Muslim-Christian presidential ticket.  The groups, however, threatened to withdraw the support of millions of its followers across the country should the ruling party proceed with Kassim Shettima as Bola Tinubu's running mate.  The Christian leaders and heads of the APC coalition made their displeasure known in a communique issued at the end of the meeting in Abuja.  The communique was jointly signed by Lucas Bako, Pst. Dauda Yakubu, Pst. Yiguda Augustine, Diconess Jessica Nuhu, Elder Williams Unogwu, Dr. Theodore Uji, Pst. Ambas Kelvin, Mr. Haruna Vincent and Bish Emeka.  Lamenting the neglect of Christians, they said fielding the same faith ticket in an election is, by all standards, a national threat and one that must not be allowed to stand.  According to them,  "Nigeria ha...

  At all levels of the Nigerian federation, the Constitution thrust the management of security of lives and property on the president, governors and local council leaders. Specifically, Article II of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria vested the executive power of the state in the governor and charges them with the execution of state law. In view of the foregoing, the primary responsibility of any governmemt is first the security of lives and property. The current administration in Kogi State, under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, inherited a state that is divided into religious, tribal, and class lines, which culminated in a lot of security concerns. He inherited a state where division, oppression, deprivation and injustice were the order of the day. In terms of geography, Kogi is not only the hinge that holds the southern and northern parts of Nigeria together, Lokoja, the state capital, occupies an enviable place in the historical trajectory of Nigeria, having ...

Following the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council, some Christians in the party have called for total boycott, reiterating their rejection of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.  The Concerned Northern APC Christians Forum, in a press conference today in Abuja, insisted that the ruling party must jettison its current combination of Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima to get the support of Christians.   In his address, General Secretary, Lukas Bako, said the inauguration is a mere charade, describing the APC's chances at the presidency as a failed mission. According to him, under the present arrangement, the Christians would suffer untold persecution under an APC government in Nigeria.  Bako added that the Northern Christians stand with the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria, adding that the "Christians in the APC Presidential Campaign Council are betrayers who have sold their conscience in return for a plate of porridge". The gro...

   The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has congratulated Governor Yahaya Bello on his distinguished award for security management conferred on him by President Buhari. In a statement signed by the President, NDMG - UK chapter, Joyce Ogwu, the Nigerians said the award is well deserved. Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service was set up to recognise distinguished public service to Nigeria, either contributions to individuals, state or local community, or the public through excellence in leadership, service, or humanitarianism. To be eligible, the recipient must be a living Public Official or a private citizen excelling consistently in a given sphere of influence, in good character standing, and must also be at the forefront of service and innovation. Governor Bello was among an exclusive class of distinguished Nigerians selected and rewarded for excellence. And Joyce commended the Federal Government for singling Governor Bello for recognition, considering his gi...

The White Lion, as Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is fondly called, has four things as his work tools: diplomacy, emotional inteligence, courage and influence. These has helped him to dare and conquer on many fronts.  The Wednesday's announcement, that Kogi, for the first time, has received it's share of monthly 13 percent derivation, during the weekly State Executive Council meeting at the Lugard House, Lokoja, closes an epic story of governor's unparalleled and deft power of diplomacy, leadership acumen and emotional inteligence.  Though Governor Bello's serial leadership wins had for umpteenth time, proven that wisdom is better than strength, the latest development marks the end of history in the evolution of Kogi's trajectory. This is because, most likely, no event in the future can be more than enlistment of Kogi as an Oil producing State. With this latest feat, Bello has once again demonstrated what's possible, where a leader thinks transgenersti...

  It has been established throughout history that the central reason for man's creation is service to God and humanity. Those who understand these two fold divine injunctions are daily seeking the benevolence of almighty creator to empower them to be a channel of happiness and fulfilment for mankind. The foregoing aptly captures the life of former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Kauran Bauchi and the Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed. In his journey through life, the enigmatic politician has demonstrated what's possible, where a leader's preoccupation is not his personal interests but that of the people. As a pathfinder, Governor Mohammed has continued to beat path for others to follow. Apart from providence, Governor Bala Mohammed's phenomenal rise cannot be by accident. Excellence, it is said, destroys prejudice. When a man knows his onions and does everything with midas touch, it won't be difficult to attract the favour of kings. ...

The Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has accused the management of Dangote Cement Company of fraudulently acquiring Obajana Cement Company plotting to disrupt the peace and security in Kogi State over the government's insistence to recover its shares in the company. The group said rather than address the issues raised by the state government, the company has resorted to name-calling and underarm tactics ultimately causing turmoil and threat to the security.  The Coalition for Truth and Justice made this known in a statement today by its Secretary-General, Comrade Musa Attah. Speaking at a press conference, Attah said: "The absurd has been playing out since the Kogi State Government recently sealed the cement company in Obajana, Kogi state. The company was originally Obajana Cement Company Plc but then renamed Dangote Cement Company Plc, and its ownership is at the centre of the ongoing contention between the state and Dangote Industries.   "Let us state from the onse...