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Bishops Condemn Jihadi Attacks As Death Toll Hits 100
Catholic bishops in Nigeria have renewed their demands for an end to the killing of Christians in the country, saying there is “no justification for the continuous bloodletting”.
The statement comes in the wake of a spate of attacks in Benue State that left at least 100 people dead.
On June 1, armed groups believed to be Jihadist Fulani herdsmen struck communities in Gwer West and Apa counties, killing at least 43 people. Similar attacks had earlier taken place in several villages in Gwer that led to the deaths of 42 people.
In Plateau State, nearly 40 people were killed between June 1 and June 2, and between May 24 and 25,at least 50 civilians – most of them Christians were butchered by Fulani herdsmen in Munga Lelau and Munga Dasso-two farming communities in Karim-Lamido county in Taraba state.
And over 179 Christians were massacred in separate attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt during the Easter Triduum, between April 18–20.
According to Genocide Watch, over 45,000 Christians were killed between 2009 and March 2022. Approximately 30,000 moderate Muslims were also killed during the period.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee because of the attacks. According to the Catholic-inspired NGO, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Intersociety, Fulani herdsmen have already uprooted some 950 Christian communities in Nigeria’s South East, with the Fulani Jihadists taking over those communities.
Africa’s most populous nation has been the theater of anti-Christian killings since 2009, with Christian non-profit, Open Doors reporting that 3,100 Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2024 alone, and more than 2,000 kidnapped.
Catholic bishops in the country have once more spoken forcefully against the continued massacres.
The bishops said in their statement: “There is no justification whatsoever for the continuous bloodletting that has become the daily reality of many in Benue State and across Nigeria.
“The relentless attacks on innocent and defenseless communities under the watch of civil authorities constitute a grave moral and constitutional failure. Hence, this carnage must end.”
The bishops said they recognised the efforts of the Benue State Government to provide the population with much needed infrastructure and the payment of civil servants ‘salaries, but noted that such achievements ring hollow in the face of failure to protect citizens.
They said: “No matter how well a government pays salaries or builds roads, its failure to protect human lives renders its achievements hollow.
“The sanctity of human life is supreme. It is sacred. It is inviolable. Any government that fails to make the safety and protection of its citizens and their property its foremost priority abdicates its fundamental responsibility and moral legitimacy.”
In comments to Crux, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja (pictured) said Christian communities have continued to grow in spite of the attacks.
“The spate of killings, kidnappings, and destruction of church personnel and facilities in Nigeria is a continuation of a situation Nigerians have had to deal with for many years,” Archbishop Kaigama said.
“The Christian communities in northern Nigeria, especially those in Plateau state, continue to endure violent attacks by armed groups.
“The Middle Belt region remains a hotbed for these brutal assaults, while the Islamic militant group Boko Haram is intensifying its activities against Christians in the Northeast. Boko Haram’s continued targeting of Christians in Northeastern Nigeria compounds the suffering.”
The archbishop blamed poor leadership and the resultant high levels of poverty for some of the killings.
Emeka Umeagbalasi, the director of Intersociety, said Christians are being targeted in a genocidal attempt to replace them with Muslims, an agenda which he believes is being pushed by the government.
In an interview with International Christian Concern, he noted that there has been a large radicalisation of the Nigerian military with “Jihadists conscripted through the backdoor into the country’s security forces”.
He said much of the radicalisation happened under former President, Muhamadu Buhari, who is a Fulani man himself.
The bishops said “every single death in such circumstances is a national tragedy and a scandal against our common humanity.”
They urged the Nigerian government-both at federal and state levels to take “immediate, firm, and sustained action to secure lives and restore hope to our people”.
As if the killings by fellow humans haven’t been enough, Nigeria also suffered its worst floods in 60 years when over 150 people were killed as floodwaters swept through Niger state.
Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu of Minna said besides the deaths, the floods wiped out full communities, with the people losing virtually everything.
“Be assured of our prayers and our support as we work together to rebuild the community and restore hope to our people,” he said.
Thecatholicherald.com
News
Accord Party Rejects Gov Adeleke, Adopts APC Candidate For Osun Elections
The factional National Chairman of the Accord Party, Prof. Chris Imumolen, has reaffirmed the party’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and endorsed his re-election bid, while insisting that the decision does not amount to a merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Imumolen also announced that Accord had resolved to support the APC governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
The Accord chairman said the party’s support for Tinubu was based on its assessment of the administration’s economic reforms and efforts towards national development.
“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is based on our conviction that Nigeria’s progress requires continuity in policies that strengthen our economy, deepen reforms, and promote national stability.
“We have therefore endorsed his re-election because we believe it is in the best interest of our country,” Imumolen said.
The party chairman, however, cautioned against interpreting the endorsement as evidence that Accord had surrendered its political identity or merged with another party.
“Let me state this clearly: the party’s endorsement of President Tinubu does not amount to the dissolution of the Accord Party or its merger with any political platform.
“Accord remains an independent political party with its own constitution, leadership, ideology, and vision for Nigeria,” he said.
Imumolen maintained that the party would continue to take independent positions on political and governance issues despite its support for Tinubu. On the Osun State governorship election, the party said it had taken a strategic decision to adopt Oyebamiji, the APC candidate. Imumolen said the decision followed consultations and an assessment of the political situation in the state.
“After careful consultations and a thorough assessment of the political realities in Osun State, the Accord Party has resolved to adopt and support the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
“This strategic decision is driven solely by our commitment to ensuring competent leadership and sustainable development for the people of Osun State,” he stated.
Accord urged members of the public, the media and political stakeholders to distinguish between its endorsement of Tinubu at the national level and its alliance with the APC candidate in Osun State. The party said suggestions that it had ceased to operate independently were inaccurate and misleading.
It added that it remained committed to democratic principles, national unity and issue-based politics, stressing that its political decisions would continue to be guided by what it considered the best interests of Nigerians.
Naija News reports that the Accord Party faction loyal to Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The party chairman, however, cautioned against interpreting the endorsement as evidence that Accord had surrendered its political identity or merged with another party.
“Let me state this clearly: the party’s endorsement of President Tinubu does not amount to the dissolution of the Accord Party or its merger with any political platform.
“Accord remains an independent political party with its own constitution, leadership, ideology, and vision for Nigeria,” he said.
Imumolen maintained that the party would continue to take independent positions on political and governance issues despite its support for Tinubu. On the Osun State governorship election, the party said it had taken a strategic decision to adopt Oyebamiji, the APC candidate.
Imumolen said the decision followed consultations and an assessment of the political situation in the state.
After careful consultations and a thorough assessment of the political realities in Osun State, the Accord Party has resolved to adopt and support the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
“This strategic decision is driven solely by our commitment to ensuring competent leadership and sustainable development for the people of Osun State,” he stated.
Accord urged members of the public, the media and political stakeholders to distinguish between its endorsement of Tinubu at the national level and its alliance with the APC candidate in Osun State.
The party said suggestions that it had ceased to operate independently were inaccurate and misleading.
It added that it remained committed to democratic principles, national unity and issue-based politics, stressing that its political decisions would continue to be guided by what it considered the best interests of Nigerians.
Daily voice reports that the Accord Party faction loyal to Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
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Accord Party, Adeleke Adopt Tinubu As 2027 Presidential Candidate
President Bola Tinubu has been adopted as the preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the national leadership of the Accord Party. The decision was reached during a meeting held on Saturday night in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The gathering brought together top officials of the party from across the country, including members of the National Working Committee and state chairmen.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Adeleke’s re-election campaign spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, discussions at the meeting focused on the future of the party, national development issues and preparations ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
Party leaders said their support for Tinubu was influenced by the need for continuity in ongoing infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal Government.
They stressed that major road projects across the country should be completed without interruption.
Among the projects highlighted were the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
The party leadership maintained that continuity would help ensure the successful delivery of the projects and their expected economic benefits.
The meeting also reviewed the political atmosphere ahead of the August governorship election in Osun State. Leaders of the party called for a peaceful electoral process and urged all stakeholders to avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility of the poll.
They warned against violence, intimidation of political opponents, electoral malpractice and the alleged use of security agencies to harass members of the party during the election period.
The party further appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and other relevant institutions to ensure a level playing field for all contestants.
Several national officers attended the meeting. They included the National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem; Deputy National Chairman, Maryam Sale; National Secretary, Ajaja Abiola Adebukola; National Treasurer, Abdulazeez Oyeniyi Salaudeen; National Organising Secretary, Ibe Thankgod; and National Publicity Secretary, Omorogbe Joseph.Political communication services
Also present were state chairmen and other senior party officials drawn from different parts of the country.
The endorsement marks another significant political development in the growing relationship between Adeleke and the Accord Party following the governor’s alignment with the platform ahead of the Osun governorship election.
Party leaders at the meeting expressed confidence in Adeleke’s chances in the forthcoming poll and pledged to mobilise support structures across the state to secure victory.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the party nationwide while positioning it for future political contests. Moreover, Governor Ademola Adeleke publicly reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition on several occasions. He described the move as being in the interest of Osun State and the South-West region. Leadership development programs
Speaking on May this year, during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction work on the Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa Expressway, Adeleke said his support for the President went beyond partisan politics.
The governor described Tinubu as “our own son, father and leader,” insisting that he needed no persuasion to back the President’s re-election bid.
“I am the governor of the ancestral birthplace of Mr President. How can I have my own in the saddle and think twice before embracing him? I need no persuasion to act as I have declared repeatedly our endorsement of Mr President,” Adeleke said.
He added that the endorsement was a “moral and development-driven action” aimed at advancing the interests of Osun State and the Yoruba people.
The governor maintained that supporting Tinubu would help sustain ongoing federal projects and strengthen cooperation between Osun State and the Federal Government.
The position was again repeated on June, when Adeleke formally flagged off his re-election campaign in Osogbo.
Addressing supporters at the event, he declared: “As we seek your votes on August 15, we also restate our endorsement of our son, father and leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for re-election in 2027. Our support for Mr President is unshaken and total.”
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BREAKING: Tinubu Gives New Top Appointment
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, House of Representatives.
Naija News reports that the appointment takes immediate effect, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Olanrewaju-Smart succeeds Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who resigned from the position to contest an elective office in his home state.
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“This appointment is with immediate effect,” Onanuga said in the statement titled, “President Tinubu Appoints Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters – House of Representatives.”
The Presidency said the 40-year-old appointee brings extensive experience in legislative affairs and public policy to the position.
According to the statement, Olanrewaju-Smart holds a doctorate in Educational Management from Lead City University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
He was an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and also holds a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations.
The Presidency added that he was a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where his work focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.
Olanrewaju-Smart has held several positions within the National Assembly over the years.
The statement read, “His National Assembly career spans Research and Media Assistant to the Minority/Majority Leader, House of Representatives (7th–8th Assemblies), to Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff, and ultimately the Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th and 10th Assemblies.”
The Presidency said his career trajectory provided him with experience in legislative research, administration and relations between lawmakers and the executive.
Olanrewaju-Smart joined the Presidency in October 2023 as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs.
He remained in the position until his latest appointment.
“Olanrewaju-Smart later joined the Presidency in October 2023 as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held until this new appointment,” the statement said.
The Presidency added that his public policy research portfolio included contributions to several pieces of legislation.
“His public policy research portfolio includes work on several landmark legislations, such as the Interest-Free Student Loan Act, among others,” it added.
The Presidency said Tinubu was confident that Olanrewaju-Smart’s experience and knowledge would help deepen relations between the executive and the House of Representatives.
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