Please Leave Wike Alone: No to Unproductive, Destructive and Divisive Ethno-Religious Rhetorics in Nigeria -Para-Mallam

…Religious Leaders by their Calling Should be Agents of Peace and Promoters of Unity and National Cohesion. Anything short is manipulation of religion for destructive purposes.

Jos, Nigeria – Monday, October 30, 2023

The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, a prominent Nigerian peace builder and advocate, has issued a call for religious leaders across faiths to act more responsibly and shun issuing inflammatory statements from their pulpits either on Fridays or Sundays. Such misuse of the pulpit only divides Nigerians and consumes gullible listeners and followers along religious and ethnic lines.

Para-Mallam’s admonition comes in response to recent inflammatory statements particularly from some clerics of Northern extraction questioning the appropriateness of Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu to serve as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on religious grounds. The clerics had suggested Wike’s Christian faith disqualifies him from holding an office overseeing the FCT. Some of such deadly rhetorics, erroneously described the Nigerian federal capital territory as a “Hausa and Fulani enclave,” which historically and geographically it is not.

In a strongly worded statement, the President and CEO of the Jos-based peace building organisation, The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation reminds such clerics and all Nigerians that the position of FCT Minister belongs to every qualified Nigerian regardless of their tribe or religious affiliation.

The peace and social justice crusader who has never met or known Wike personally, apart from the pages of newspapers or television, stated that Muslim clerics calling Wike on account of his Christian faith ‘infidels’ is not only erroneous but dangerous hate speech that could instigate religious violence against innocent Nigerians. Para-Mallam reminds such clerics that Christians firmly believe in God and love Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Therefore, referring a Christian as an unbeliever is factually incorrect, provocative and risks inciting hostility against them.

Para-Mallam further called on such clerics to be more responsible with their public utterances and stop making loose comments that demean other faiths or suggest excluding qualified Nigerians from positions of national service and governance roles; on religious grounds.

“It beats my imagination that clerics use vulgar language to characterise the Hon Minister. This is strange and dysfunctional application of religion. To suggest that Wike being a Christian is therefore an Arne (infidel) is an intentional wicked characterisation of not only Wike but all Christians. It is absolutely wrong for any Muslim leader or Muslims to describe Christians as Arne. This is pure hypocrisy on the part of such Muslim Clerics. To describe Christians as Arne is not only unacceptable but hate speech borne out of hatred. Nigeria should be spared further agony by such unfounded miss-applied religious labelings.” He said.

He also reminded all faith leaders that Nigeria belongs to people of every tribe and creed. No ethnic group or religious followers can lay exclusive claim over national roles and institutions. Any thing to the contrary is religious grandstanding.

“Abuja belongs to all Nigerians. It is not the sole preserve or entitlement of any particular ethnic group or religious adherents. If the Gbyagis have shown accommodation of other ethnic groups, the rest of us should shun politics of provocation in the name of religion. Those making these inflammatory utterances should know better than to insinuate ex-Governor Wike cannot hold the office simply because he is a Christian from the South. Targeting Wike and other Christians who hold visible positions in the country is an act of disservice to the Nigerian State.” Para-Mallam said.

Para-Mallam urges clerics to act with wisdom, restraint and dignity befitting their offices when they are preaching or speaking to audiences.

“They should refrain from sermons which demeans other faiths or insinuating exclusion of qualified Nigerians from service because of their religion. We should all be tired of such antics. We become the laughing stock of the global community. Nigeria is blessed by excellent minds and brains. In truth these gifted individuals are found both in the north and south and also among Christians and Muslims. The age of using religion for manipulative purposes is gone forever in Nigeria.” He said.

The peace advocate explained that faith leaders have great influence, so their words carry weight hence the need for caution.

“They must avoid language that marginalizes, excludes, divides or incites hostility against any Nigerian on religious or ethnic grounds. In truth there’s huge groundswell of support for Wike and he is gradually being transformed into a national hero. Wike rises while his detractors are diminished. Every Nigerian is qualified to be Minister of the FCT. Wike should not and cannot be made an exception.” He said

In addition, Para-Mallam called on religious leaders to become positive voices of moderation, inspiration, reconciliation and unity. They should build bridges between faith communities, calm tensions, and advance shared interests for the common good of all Nigerians: Christians and Muslims alike.

“With Nigeria facing huge insecurity and socio-economic challenges, the country needs clerics to serve as forces of stability, progress and hope – rather than merchants of division and strife. Their platforms and influence should unite, not divide.” The Peace builder added.

Speaking on recent attacks and negative criticisms towards the FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike over allegations of ‘forming alliance’ with Israel to attack Gaza and the people of Palestine, Para-Mallam said such allegations are not only baseless but capable of setting the nation on fire. He goes on to note that in the past, Abuja has been governed by Muslim FCT ministers who also at different times hosted Israeli government officials and investors in the Nigerian capital.

“If hosting Israeli envoys in Abuja was not a problem when done in the past by Muslim FCT ministers, why should it become an issue now with Governor Wike simply because he is a Christian? This is the kind of inflammatory religious insinuations we must avoid for national peace and unity. Such tactics won’t scare Christians from relating with Israel. There are many Arab nations who do business with Israel. ‘Nigerians cannot be more Catholic than the Pope,’ as the expression goes.

It is on record that the Israeli ambassador’s visit to the office of the FCT was on carried out on the 3rd of October, 2023. “Why connect such with the unfortunate war going on in Israel/Gaza? This was days before the war started and the visit was not a secret visit but well covered by the media . . . In truth, does a minister of the federal republic of Nigeria have the powers to engage in diplomatic negotiations involving international actors in a conflict situation?” He stated.

With Nigeria facing enormous economic, security and governance challenges, Para-Mallam stressed that respected faith leaders must avoid statements that marginalize or incite hatred against any Nigerians on religious or ethnic grounds.

Instead, the leadership guru said, they should be forces for unity, progress, stability and hope – using their platforms and influence to build bridges, calm tensions, and advance the shared interests of all Nigerians regardless of tribe or creed.

“That is the Nigeria we must keep working and praying to build together.” He said.

He concludes by appealing to all religious leaders to promote tolerance, respect diversity, and pursue national healing. Avoiding inflammatory rhetoric and uniting Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines is vital for the nation’s peace and prosperity. Nigeria will rise again from the ashes of social injustice and discriminatory religious tendencies to becoming the envy of other nations in peace Co-existence. I believe in Nigeria and our current leadership trajectory will change for the BEST.

BREAKING: Buhari approves postponement of 2023 census

The 2023 Population and Housing Census, which was initially slated for May 3–7, 2023, has been postponed with the approval of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.), until a date to be decided by the incoming administration.

On Friday, April 28, 2023, in the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President met with a few members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra, and his team

This information can be found in a press release that was issued on Saturday morning and is signed by Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture.

In making the decision to delay the census, the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last census, to collect current data that will drive the country’s developmental goals and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people,” according to the statement.

There have been requests for the census to be postponed from various quarters for a variety of reasons, including inadequate planning, a lack of funding, supervisors’ lack of preparedness for the exercise, credibility difficulties caused by the scheduling, and security concerns, among others.

Additionally, there have been demonstrations against the census in a number of locations, particularly in the Middle Belt. Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, has been outspoken about the importance of putting insecurity before the population census count. Many other groups, including the Middle Belt Patriots, have also called for a postponement.

Niger Delta Congress visits victims of herdsmen attacks in Bayelsa, calls for action

The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) on Monday  (April 24th 2023) paid a condolence visit to the Zarama Community in Bayelsa State that was attacked by herdsmen sometime in the month of March this year leading to at least one death and injury of other community members.

The NDC delegation which was led by the Secretary General, Mr Kemedengiyefa Opia was received by the Paramount Ruler of the community, HRH Goodnews.

The Royal Highness of the community HRH. Goodnews gave a detailed account of what transpired on the day of that dastardly act. Diri Stanley a son to the late chief who was killed by the herdsmen also attested to the fact that there hasn’t been any kind of support from the Bayelsa State government so far in for the bereaved family made up of 10 children and the widowed wife. 

The NDC uses this opportunity to call on the Bayelsa State Government to support the family of the deceased and help alleviate their suffering brought about by the demise of their breadwinner.

Also present at the meeting were members of the Hunters Group and their leadership who have been at the forefront of protecting the community from the rampaging herdsmen. The group while restating their commitment and experiences in tackling the herdsmen challenge bemoaned the lack of support from the government, pointing to the fact that security agencies who were given government support were always nowhere to be found when the need arises. 

The NDC consequently pledged its support to the people of Zarama community in their quest to protect their land and people from the activities of herdsmen/terrorists.

Mudiaga Ogboru,

National Spokesperson, NDC

PDP G-5 Govs Not Supporting Tinubu – Jang

Sen. Jonah Jang, a former governor of Plateau State and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that the G5 PDP governors and their allies, including himself, do not endorse Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jang continued by saying that Governor Simon Lalong, the director general of Tinubu’s campaign, was daydreaming when he claimed that the G-5 supported Tinubu.

According to a statement made in Jos by Jang’s media advisor Clinton Garuba, they have made it clear time and time again that they do not personally disagree with the PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar, but rather with the procedure that produced him and the structural imbalance that resulted.

The G-5, also known as the integrity group, disagreed with the PDP and withdrew support for its presidential candidate’s campaign, but this in no way implies that they are backing the APC’s presidential nominee, according to him.

“The attention of former Governor of Plateau State Senator Jonah David Jang has just been drawn to recent comments attributed to the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon Simon Lalong at the flag-off of the APC campaign rally, held at Wase that the G5 PDP governors are supporting the APC presidential candidate.

“Only Lalong and his fellow dreamers think so and will stop at nothing to mislead the public in order to get favorable feedback for a bad product they so desperately want to sell.”

The comments, which aimed to criticize and paint the former governor of the state in a negative light as well as win favor with his chosen candidate and the APC, are described in the statement as nothing more than the final gasps of a dying horse.

Garuba noted that typically they would have dismissed the vituperations as the tantrums of a deeply dissatisfied individual who has assumed a difficult task of marketing a substandard product all in the quest to be relevant.

The former governor further said that his successor failed miserably in all areas, including basic infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, and education. He claimed that throughout his whole tenure as governor, the man did nothing to promote the welfare and wellbeing of his people.

Asake Still In Race – LP Campaign Council on Kaduna elections

Rumors that the Labour Party’s (LP) governorship candidate, Hon. Jonathan Asake, had withdrawn from the contest in Kaduna State have been refuted by the Asake/Bashir campaign organizations.

This is to call the attention of our party members, our teaming supporters in and out of Kaduna state, to disregard all lies and rumors peddled by PDP that Hon. Jonathan Asake, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Kaduna State, has stepped down from the race for Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for Kaduna State.

“Those who are spreading these rumours are political bandits of the PDP who are forced to face the hard fact that Asake is the choice of Kaduna state under a free and fair election come 11th March, 2023.

Despite the cruel and malicious rumors that have been spread to damage his well-earned reputation, Asake is very hot in the competition and is not looking back.

“We are aware of several organizations and clergy members who have broken their morals and callings in order to amass large sums of cash from their sponsors in order to sway voters’ opinions against Asake.

“They have become scare mongers who are driving fear and hate in the heart of some undiscerning minds that Asake is sponsored to divide the votes of the PDP so that the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket will be retained in Kaduna State.

Under a free and fair election, we don’t see where the APC will win the gubernatorial seat of Kaduna state after the destruction it had brought upon Kaduna State.

“And in any case, it was the indolent, cowardly and timid way the PDP played politics that gave grounds for the APC to do what it liked with the people, assets and fortune of Kaduna state. It is the same PDP that wasted the votes of the people of Kaduna state in 2019. It is the same characters that are parading the same candidate for the 2023 elections. Our people have no confidence that the PDP has the capacity to coast to victory or after victory, sustain the victory from being snatched by the APC from the courts.

“We have identified our lapses in the February 25th Presidential election and we have taken all necessary corrections to avoid the kind of votes robbery that the Labour Party suffered in Kaduna State. The APC and the PDP know from their hearts that Peter Obi and most of our candidates for the National Assembly elections won in Kaduna State, and we are going to get back our victory from the courts.

“We are therefore calling on our supporters not to be intimidated or be deceived by anyone or groups.

They should mobilise themselves and convince more electorate for a landslide victory in the gubernatorial race come 11th March, 2023”.

Benue declares Friday a work-free day for elections

The government of Benue State have declared Friday, February 24, 2023, a holiday.

State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism Michael Inalegwu revealed this.

The Commissioner stated that the State Executive Council decided to proclaim the day a work-free day on Thursday.

The work-free day will allow State employees to travel to their various areas to cast their ballots in this Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections, according to Inalegwu.

However, he asserted that specific industries, including the judiciary, security, banks, hospitals, and the fire service, were exempt from the work-free day and that workers in these fields should be paid to continue providing services to the general public.

Inalegwu added, “Council further urged Benue people to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections as they have done in previous ones.”

Niger Delta Congress, Middle Belt Patriotic Front Describe Nigerian Constitution as fraud, Demand a new, All-Inclusive Constitution

…Say ongoing constitution amendment in the National Assembly a mere facade meant to hoodwink the generality of the Nigerian masses

The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) and its Middle Belt counterpart, Middle Belt Patriotic Front (MBPF) have raised concerns over what they tagged “the deliberate neglect” of the two regions in the scheme of things in Nigeria.

The groups in a joint statement signed by Kemedengiyefa Opia, Secretary General of the Niger Delta Congress and Iorwuese Samuel, Secretary General of the Middle Belt Patriotic Front described the existing 1999 constitution as a document that embodies and entrenches injustice against the Niger Delta and the Middle Belt regions. It also condemned the degradation of communities in the Niger Delta and the massacre and occupation of areas in the Middle Belt.

The statement reads in full;

In prelude to the general elections, the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) and the Middle Belt Patriotic Front (MBPF) recognizes that there isn’t a comprehensive document that effectively captures the position of the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples as relates to our legitimate political interests and future. 

While at the foundation of this is a leadership failure on the part of elected representatives from our regions, we believe our precarious position within the Nigerian Federation as a result of the injustices we have suffered is well documented historically and known to every section of this country and the rest of the world. 

To this effect, the NDC and the MBPF held its Joint Conference on Tuesday 21^st of February 2022 to deliberate on these issues as concerns us after which the Niger Delta and Middle Belt Position and Recommendations on the Nigerian Federation was unanimously adopted by all ethnic nationality representatives present.

While this comprehensive document will be forwarded to the relevant media organizations, elected political representatives, foreign governments, sociopolitical and ethnic representative groups, and other international and local organizations in due time, we deem it necessary to share with the general public a summary of our position and recommendations.

Our position is that the Nigerian Federation is built on injustice; That the current 1999 Nigerian Constitution which was foisted on our people and the rest of the country embodies and entrenches this injustice by legalizing it; That this 1999 Nigerian Constitution has been the main pillar in the sociopolitical and socioeconomic subjugation of our people; That the recent 1999 Nigerian Constitution amendment being undertaken by the National Assembly is a facade meant to hoodwink the generality of the Nigerian masses; That the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples reject the 1999 Constitution in its entirety and its ongoing fraudulent amendment.

In lieu of the above our recommendations are as follows: that a New Nigerian Constitution be developed with the input of all ethnic nationalities and their representative groups to ensure that it captures the hopes and aspirations of the different constituent parts that make up this country. That on the issue of resource governance and ownership, that the Hicks-Philipson recommendations of 1951 be adopted; Area of Origin 50%, States/Region 35%, Central Government 15%. This will give our people the freedom to harness, utilize and benefit form our God given mineral resources while also benefiting the rest of the country.

Taking into consideration the economic effects this change will have on states and regions who have become completely dependent on the Central Government, we recommend a phased increment spanning at most 10 years. This will give the dependent states and regions ample time to adjust and put in place economic mechanisms and structures to sustain them.

In addition to these, we also call for the comprehensive examination of the Niger Delta environment which is now a threat to lives, and a follow up cleanup. We also call for an emergency  intervention in the Middle Belt to put a stop to the ethnic cleansing and land grabbing currently ongoing.

While the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta and Middle Belt expect the Nigerian state to right its wrongs to ensure its corporate survival, the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples under the leadership of the Niger Delta Congress and Middle Belt Patriotic Front are committed to cooperating and will continue to make actionable plans and take actionable steps to secure and guarantee the economic and political rights and future of the Niger Delta and Middle Belt peoples.

God bless the Niger Delta and Middle Belt Peoples.

End….

Middle Belt Group Blasts Concerned Northern Forum Over Bill on Arabic and Islamic Studies

…Says Middle Belt never agreed to controversial Arabic and islamic studies bill

A group under the auspices of Middle Belt Patriotic Front has blasted the “Concerned Northern Forum” for alleging that it consulted 73 civil society organizations and the 19 Northern States regarding a proposed bill before the National Assembly for the propagation of Islamic Education in the country.

Middle Belt Patriotic Front (MBPF) said in a statement that stakeholders in the Middle Belt were not consulted about such a bill and would oppose its implementation due to the dishonest method employed by the sponsors of the bill on the Nigerian people. Esson Abalaku, the MBPF’s president, made the statement on Wednesday in Jalingo the Taraba state capital.

According to the statement sighted by Middle Belt Times, the president said;

“such a bill should be restricted to all core Northern Islamic areas and exempt the Middle Belt people who favor secular education.

“It is crucial that they be consulted in the case that the Middle Belt people think about switching to other kinds of education, and each state government release affirmative remarks to confirm this viewpoint.”

Speaking further in response to request for budgetary increase so that the board could operate similarly to other educational boards, MBPF said;

“Any group who would want such special provisions in their states could make do with the budgetary allocations specifically allocated for their state for such activities.”

The President added that it was “concerning” that the forum representatives wanted the bill to be passed quickly, especially since it would have an impact on areas where the majority of the populace felt uncomfortable about not having their views represented on such a delicate matter”.

The MBPF has urged all state governors, legislators, civil society organizations, and all southern and middle belt groups to thoroughly review the aforementioned bill before it passage into law.

Middle Belt Forum: El-Rufai denying Buhari to run away from APC’s failure

According to the Middle Belt Forum, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna is desperately attempting to separate himself from the disastrous policies of the All Progressives Congress, APC, of which he is a member.

National President, Dr. Pogu Bitrus stated, “Governor El-Rufai has constantly been mischievous and egocentric.

Under the previous administration, Obasanjo, he started criticizing everyone outside of that administration. When he joined the group that would eventually form the All Progressives Congress, APC, he started by making announcements about any and all issues pertaining to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to which he had previously belonged.

“Today he’s within the APC in which he’s one in all their top notch leaders and the APC has failed woefully, he’s desperately looking to distance himself with the aid of using pronouncing Buhari is that this and that.

“He forgets that he has also performed badly in Kaduna state. People have lost their lives and lands taken over and all of that. 

“So El-Rufai will continue to be a selfish and self-centered person. And remember just before now, this same El-Rufai said the Governors are the “leaders in the North”. He is not a person you can rely on.

So you can forget about his statement and let posterity judge him.”

Supreme Court postpones CBN’s old naira notes deadline of February 10

The three APC-controlled states of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara petitioned the Supreme Court, which issued the ruling

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was given a directive by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to postpone the 10 February deadline for the use of old naira notes.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a seven-member court panel chaired by John Okoro issued the temporary injunction due to a severe shortage of freshly redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes.

In a decision on an exparte suit filed by the three states of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara, a seven-member panel led by Justice John Okoro halted the federal government proposal.

This comes as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret. ), the CBN, its Governor Godwin Emefiele, and 27 commercial banks were prohibited by a Federal Capital Territory High Court from suspending, stopping, extending, or meddling with the currency swap terminal date.

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom had earlier joined the National Assembly to call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for the removal of old Naira notes from circulation until June 2023.