NEWS
Muslim-Muslim Ticket: I won’t vote for Tinubu – Onaiyekan
By Funmilayo Olusanya
The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has declared that he would not support the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, due to the party’s choice to run a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 general elections.
Onaiyekan disclosed this on Wednesday at the ongoing First Synod of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo at St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Ede, Osun State.
The synod themed “The Church as an Agent of Dialogue and Reconciliation In Our Community In Quest For a Just and Peaceful Social Order,” was graced by Sheik, Bishops and Traditionalist of Osun.
Read also>>>LP Accuses APC Of Unprovoked Gun Attacks On Supporters In Ebonyi
He said that his decision to abstain from voting for the APC was a personal one and emphasized that every Nigerian, including Christians, would have to make their own choice on which political party to support, that the Catholic Church would not order members to vote for a particular political party.
He added that the APC’s decision to run a Muslim-Muslim ticket was the best way for it to win elections and that Nigerians also had a choice as to whether or not to support the party.
In his words: “The reason is that Muslim/Muslim ticket is a political decision taken by APC as a party on the calculation that is their best way to win the election or assure their victory in 2023 General Election.
“There is no point telling them not to take such decision, all you can say is that, they will have to accept responsibility for the decision they have taken. I only have one voter’s card and by God’s grace I will use it. I will definitely not vote for Muslim/Muslim ticket, that is my decision.
“But since is a political decision of a political party, what the church can do officially is bring out this fact and tell people that they should take their political decision accordingly. When the APC election leadership appointed Governor of Plateau state, Solomon Lalong as the Director of Campaign of APC who is a Catholic, he took the decision politically.
“The only time when we called him to order was when he dragged the name of Pope into the appointment and political discussion, he tendered his apologised which was accepted by use because he is a member of Papa knight.
“APC is still considered as a legitimate party in Nigeria. Many Catholic are in APC not only as members but hold vital positions. According to our church we not involved in partisan politics.”
Meanwhile, the grand Imam of Osogbo, Alhaji Sheik Musa Animashahun represented by Sheik Abdulsalam Akinwumi stressed the need to create a friendly atmosphere between Muslims and Christians so as to bring peace to the country.
In his words: “God sent religion to bring peace. Islam means peace and Jesus Christ is an apostle of peace, which means what our Lord requested from us is absolute peace. As I congratulate you, I hereby, enjoin everyone here today and other memners of the faithful as am enjoining my fellow Muslims in the state to trail the path of peace and be our brothers’ keepers at all times.
“True practice of Godly religion doesn’t bring negative sentiments of hatred, victimization of others. Unconditional love is central in Abrahamic religions. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” is a central command the Scriptures of both Christianity and Islam.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
ALSO READ: Senate Approves Abe as Chairman, NUPRC Board
The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
ALSO READ: SERAP Asks Tinubu To Probe N5.9bn Spent On NNPC Rebranding
He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
SEE MORE: Value Creation: NCDMB to train Six Young Engineers in Electrification Interdependency
Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
NCDMB, Renaissance Africa Train Pipeline Engineers
NLNG Inducts 103 Trainees Into Empowerment Scheme
NCDMB Sponsored Oracle Primavera P6 Training Underway In Rivers State
Senate Approves Abe as Chairman, NUPRC Board
Tinubu Swears in Taiwo Oyedele as Finance Minister
Burna Boy Breaks Record as Africa’s Top-Grossing Concert Artist
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
