Politics

‘Hired Bishops’: Tinubu, Shettima Under Fire Over Alleged Blasphemy

Published

3 years ago

July 22, 2022

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) on Thursday, described as blasphemous and treacherous, the alleged recruitment of fake ‘bishops’ to attend the unveiling of former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, as the running mate of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

HURIWA said the action demonstrates the absolute lack of respect of the APC for the Christian faith.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said Nigeria would have been on fire had Christian-Christian candidates hired fake Imams to attend their political event.

Recall that an unpleasant spectacle of funnily dressed allegedly hired ‘bishops’ were seen at the unveiling ceremony of Shettima at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Footages of the alleged fake bishops dressed in cassocks who attended the event flooded the social media amid controversy surrounding the same faith ticket of the ruling party.

One of the ‘bishops’, Joseph Odaudu had reportedly said the APC hired them from a motor park behind Eagle Square, promised to pay them N100,000 each, but paid them N40,000.

Reacting, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; as well as his running mate, Kashim Shettima, again insulted the millions of Christians in Nigeria by staging an insolent spectacle of hired bishops at the unveiling of Shettima.

“This singular act is blasphemous and treacherous against Christianity by the Muslim-Muslim presidential hopefuls. Nigeria would have been on fire if Christian-Christian presidential hopefuls had recruited fake Imams to portray public acceptance.”

HURIWA further described as lame, unacceptable and pungent excuse the explanation of the Tinubu Support Organisation that the hired persons were upcoming bishops.

“Its failure to mention the names of the hired bishops and the denomination or churches they are from show the grand deception and shenanigan in the whole despicable episode staged by Tinubu and Shettima candidacy which in any event is a combination that divides Nigeria alongside religious lines.

“The APC and Tinubu support team should stop the dark propaganda. It has failed and pushing it further or justifying the despicable action is condemnable. We challenge Tinubu and Shettima to publish the list of these so-called clerics, their Churches, denominations and exact addresses.

“HURIWA warns the APC, Tinubu and Shettima against ridiculing the Christian faith after excluding Christians in their selection process. Whilst we preach religious tolerance, we frown upon any action that deride another’s faith to score political points. This is devilish and should be rejected by all men and good women of good conscience,” the group said.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.