In a striking feature article titled “The Prophets Are To Blame,” submitted two weeks prior to June 12, 1993, and published on June 16, 1993 in The Punch newspaper, I made a bold prediction about the outcome of the June 12 presidential election. Within the cryptic prophecy, spanning 30 paragraphs, the last four paragraphs stood out for their piercing insight.

With few changes to enhance the flow, here are the relevant excerpts:

“If the Lord advises one man to exercise patience before entering the fray, our prophets would urge him to charge ahead, blinded by hope, peace, and understanding. They would support their counsel with directionless prayers, ultimately leaving the prey vulnerable to the merciless hyenas that would soon tear him apart.”

“A train navigates treacherous terrain, overcoming obstacles and crossing rivers, only to have its engine severed from the coaches, leaving its owners stranded. Life is indeed an irony.”

“It would take the ingenuity of others to repair the train and set it back on track.”

“The Lord recently revealed to me that a certain people are orchestrating malady, and His people are unwittingly dancing to this drum of lunacy. The Lord has decreed that He will soon put an end to this chaos.”

The True Measures Of Prophets

The iconic civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Similarly, in my article, I posed a critical question: What is the ultimate measure of Nigerian prophets, given their attitudes toward issues of high public interest, amidst the misconception that politics is a no-go area for prophets?

Beyond Stereotypes

I firmly believe that the true picture of a prophet transcends the stereotypical image of a man in a cassock, sporting a bushy beard, brandishing holy books, and reciting prayers from dawn till dusk. As spirit-filled professionals, prophets are tender-hearted, filled with love for humanity, and endowed with discipline and devotion to their craft. They are witnesses to and prophetic voices in every sphere of human endeavours, including social, cultural, political, and economic domains.

Prophetic Voices In Nigeria

My research highlighted exceptional individuals like Professor Ayodele Awojobi, an engineer and mathematician, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a journalist, lawyer, and politician. Both men separately warned Nigeria about impending doom in forthcoming elections and the poor management of the nation’s economy, offering constructive alternatives. As I noted, “There are prophets and there are prophets; there are prophets of the written word, prophets of literature, prophets of politics, sociology, economics, and prophets of religion.”

Accurate Predictions

Professor Awojobi’s predictive analysis of the 1983 presidential election proved remarkably accurate, as he did forecast that determining two-thirds of twenty states would be the albatross and joker of the election. Chief Awolowo also warned against economic doom and cautioned that it might take generations for Nigeria to witness true democracy if we failed to move forward.

The Evolution Of Prophetic Roles

It’s clear that some prophets have abandoned their sacred roles to become executive prophets, feeling that the days of persecution are behind us. Instead, they believe it’s time for social critics, radicals, and human rights activists to carry on the mission of old Biblical prophets.

A Journey Through Time

Let’s take a step back and explore the active involvement of Biblical Prophets in politics and the early Nigerian prophets’ experiences. The Biblical prophets, such as Ahijah, Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea, spoke truth to power, preventing kings from eliminating God’s demands from politics. They announced God’s words when occasions demanded powerful speaking out.

MKO Abiola was the man the Lord advised to exercise patience before entering the fray. However, prophets with directionless prayers goaded him to charge ahead.

Nigerian Prophets’ Courageous Stance

In Nigeria, the first-generation prophets demonstrated similar courage and conviction. In September 1931, the colonial government took notice of Prophet J.O. Ositelu and Prophetess Abigail Tapa’s prophecies. Ositelu’s 150-point book of prophecies, attributed to God, covered various topical issues, including:

– The Cherubim and Seraphim church would be scattered due to prophets and shepherds turning the church into dens of robbers.

– Medical doctors would be ashamed due to ineffective medicines.

– Despotic governments would be uprooted from power.

– Europeans would begin to learn wisdom and the knowledge of God from Africa.

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Government Reaction

The colonial government ordered the confiscation of Ositelu and Tapa’s pamphlets. However, Apostle Joseph Babalola, described as the founder of the Aladura Movement, repudiated Ositelu’s prophecies and toured Ondo province to “counter the anti-government preachings.” The Secretary Southern Provinces noted that Babalola condemned the pamphlet’s contents, stating:

“Babalola blames the pamphlet for much of the agitation… He says that it has been in circulation for some eight months in large numbers and sold by persons representing the printer. It has nothing to do with him, and he condemns its contents as bad.”

When a Prophet gave his opinion and was met with contradiction and derision he got his words written down “that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever.” (Isaiah 30:8b).

It is pertinent here to recall some facts, as pointed out by JDY Peel that pentecostalism came to Nigeria through the Aladura, when Apostolic Church missionaries came out to join Prophet Babalola in 1931.

According to him, “When the CAC eventually emerged from that link-up, it was happy to accept the designation, though today it prefers to regard itself as Pentecostal rather than Aladura.”

However, the Cherubim and Seraphim Church founded by Moses Orimolade in 1925 has retained its name, Aladura.

Despite the resident of Oyo Province acknowledging no sedition in the pamphlets, authored by the prophets, he ordered its sale to be stopped.

Unveiling The Prophecy

Let’s revisit the final four paragraphs of my cryptic prophecy, “The Prophets Are To Blame,” which predicted the ill-fated June 12, 1993 presidential election. Here’s an interpretative analysis:

MKO Abiola was the man the Lord advised to exercise patience before entering the fray. However, prophets with directionless prayers goaded him to charge ahead. The train navigating treacherous terrain represented the electoral process, which proceeded smoothly but was ultimately annulled, leaving the presumed winner jilted.

The severed engine’s repair symbolized the military regime that succeeded the government that annulled the June 12 election. The warmongers threatening violence to forcefully actualize the election, driven by self-interest, were the ones dancing to the drum of lunacy that the Lord said would end abruptly.

A Divine Caution

Remarkably, about two years before the June 1993 presidential election, the Lord revealed to me in trance and dreams that MKO Abiola should avoid partisan politics and not contest the presidential election, warning that it would cut his life short. As a journalist with The Punch, I felt constrained from directly delivering this divine message to him. I hoped the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (of blessed memory), would facilitate the communication, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

A Prophetic Voice

In an exclusive interview with Chief Adeniyi Akintola, a radical lawyer with a unique blend of military intelligence and political acumen, three months before the June 1993 election, he expressed concerns about MKO Abiola’s candidacy. Akintola wished Abiola had sought guidance from seasoned politicians and cautioned him to tread the path of honour. His insightful views were published in The Punch newspaper on Tuesday, March 16, 1993, in an article titled “Too Many Men Have Lost Their Manhood.”

Just thinking aloud.

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Its Public Affairs Officer in Lagos State, Mrs Adenike Oriowo, said the exercise was in line with the electoral law.

She added that INEC officials would be available in each of the wards between 9.a.m. and 3.p.m. daily from November 12 to November 25 to take records.

She said the display would hold at the wards from November 12 to November 18 and continue at INEC local government offices from November 19 to November 25.

“We shall also make available yet-to-be-collected old and new Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, at each of the wards where we are displaying the preliminary voters’ register.

“These cards will be available for collection by their owners,’’ Oriowo said.

She said the display of the register was part of efforts to further clean up the document ahead of the 2023 elections.

She urged the public to help INEC to identify names of dead people still on the register as well as names of under-age people or foreigners and others who were not eligible to be on the register.

Oriowo stressed, however, that every claim and objection must be backed with authentic proofs.

“Lagos residents should take advantage of this and go and check the register to confirm their details and particulars to make sure everything is correct.

“We want the people of Lagos State and all stakeholders to scrutinise the register for claims and objections.

“Potential voters should draw INEC’s attention to any corrections in their personal particulars and any malicious registrations, multiple registration, or registration of non-Nigerians,’’ she said.

Oriowo added that INEC was still expecting new PVCs for those who registered between January and July 2022.

She added that PVCs from previous elections and for those who registered between June 28, 2021 and December 31, 2021 would be made available for collection.

Source: NAN

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He made his agenda known on Wednesday when he solicited the support of Niger State’s delegates during this month end’s convention in Abuja.

According to the Campaign Chairman, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Udom had the capability, the ingenuity and creativity to do what even Nigeria as a country could not  achieve, citing the example of Ibom Air which the governor established within a short period of his governorship.

While describing Emmanuel as someone who would revive the nation’s comatose economy and restore the lost glory of Nigeria if given the opportunity, Suswan said Akwa Ibom had moved from the backward, to a destination of choice both locally and internationally due to the great job that Emmanuel has done in the state.

“Our change will be positive change. Our next level will be positive higher level,” he added, while the presidential aspirant promised that women would be given a pride of place in his administration.

He reassured that he had the solution to insecurity which has bedevilled Niger, like other states of the federation.

He regretted that the Jebba paper mill and other companies that used to be the pride of Niger State had become moribund.

His presidency, he assured, would pursue policies that would reverse the worrisome situation and revive the industries,

He added, ‘’regrettably, our economy has gone down but if you build the economy, you will reduce insurgency; if you build the economy, you will reduce poverty; if you revive the economy, you will make our people happy”.

Assuring of the replication of his feat in Akwa Ibom State at the national level, Emmanuel said he had the capability and capacity to turn around the economy, adding that “The time has come when we must overcome sentiments and biases and choose wisely.”

“I have all it takes to replicate at the national level what I have done at the sub-national level; give me the opportunity and I will not disappoint you,” Emmanuel said.

Recalling the bond of relationship between Niger State and Udom, Hadjia Abudulkadir Kure, wife of the former Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Yohana Kure, explained that she hardly shook hands or hug men but she shook hands with Udom because of the warm relationship between the aspirant and her late husband and ex-governor of Niger State.

“Udom was about the last person my husband discussed with before going on medical treatment to Germany where he never returned alive; my late husband and Udom were very, very close.

“I also want to say how the Director-General of Udom’s campaign, former military governor of Niger State, retired Col. Habibu Shuaib, handed over power to my husband in 1999.

“Not only did he hand over power to my husband, he mentored my husband. His wife also mentored me. They stood with us and they put us through. I can never forget that,” she added.

The DG said he brought and presented Udom to Niger state with the assurance that if elected, Udom would perform as excellently as he, Shuaib, did as military governor of the state.

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Mr Biodun Omoleye, Chief of Staff to Governor Kayode Fayemi, said in a statement on Friday in Ado-Ekiti that the restriction was to allow for the smooth conduct of local government elections in the state.

Omoleye said only those on essential and electoral assignments were exempted from the restriction.

Omoleye added that students participating in NECO examination across the state with valid proof of identification would be allowed unhindered movement.

He solicited the cooperation of the people of the state towards achieving a hitch-free and peaceful election.

Omoleye reiterated the commitment of the state government to the safety of every citizen of the state before, during and after the election.

Source: NAN

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“I am pleased to announce to you today that I have joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) which I feel ideologically aligned with. I am honoured to become a card-carrying member of the party.

“In doing so, I restate my public announcement on June 1, 2021, making myself available to lead our country as a competent, 21st century president and my intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election.

“I look forward to close collaboration with the party’s chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, Alhaji Said Abdullahi, the ADC National Secretary and the National Executive Committee, and Chair of its Board of Trustees among others,’’ he told a news conference.

He added that his desire was to take Nigeria higher and make her the envy of other nations if he became the president.

Moghalu noted that since its founding, in 2005 to date, including in the 2019 general election in which the ADC presented the late Dr Obadiah Mailafia as its presidential candidate, the party had remained consistent.

He said the ADC had remained consistent in its commitment to the emergence of true democracy in Nigeria and to the role of belief, passion and idea in nation building.

“The party has shunned `food-is-ready’ and divisive ethno-centric politics,’’ Moghalu stressed.

According to him, Nigeria’s big political parties have failed Nigerians and voting for them again in 2023 will amount to a waste of votes.

Moghalu said the ADC remained a key player in the efforts to create a new and bigger platform through merger of several political parties to take over power in 2023 to begin the work of rebuilding the country.

He said he had been part of a group of individuals and political parties working towards the emergence of a “Third Force’’ in the country’s political space.

He added that Nigerians were tired of the failure of traditional politics and were waiting eagerly for the emergence of such platform.

“For the party’s growth and expansion in the months ahead, I ask all my political supporters, including those aspiring to be elected to gubernatorial positions and the national and state legislatures to join the ADC,’’ Moghalu said.

While welcoming Moghalu to the party, Nwosu said he had returned to where he truly belonged.

“He has found his way to where he truly belongs; our handshake as a party cuts across regions and sentiments and we will together build a better Nigeria for all.

“We welcome you proudly because you are a distinguished Nigerian. We need servants and dedicated leaders like you to lead this country,’’ the ADC chairman said.

He added that the ADC had been working with other political parties and institutions to achieve its desire of enthroning a better Nigeria.

Moghalu, a lawyer and political economist was a presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, in 2019 presidential election.

He left the YPP in October 2019 and did not join any other party since then.

Moghalu, had however, remained an influential voice on national issues, including the economy, nation-building and governance.

He was recently identified as one of the leaders of an emerging “Third Force’’.

He recently served as the Special Envoy of the UN on Post-COVID Development Finance for Africa.

Moghalu’s new party fielded Prof. Pat Utomi as its candidate at the 2007 presidential election.

Source: NAN

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Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a statement issued by the forum’s Director-General, Mr C. I. D. Maduabum, in Abuja on Wednesday.

It stated that Tambuwal, in consultation with his colleagues, had summoned an extraordinary meeting of the forum to hold on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

The meeting according to the statements would discuss party matters and strategies to reposition the PDP ahead of the NEC meeting holding on Thursday.

It reassured all PDP members, stakeholders and the nation of the governors’ commitment, determination and loyalty in the patriotic task of taking over power from the All Progressives Congress-led government.

Source: NAN

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This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP OlumuyiwaAdejobi, on Friday.

Adejobi had earlier said that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Odumosu,had given a directive restricting movement between 6am to 6pm.

This was to ensure a smoothprocess  for the Lagos East Senatorial District and Kosofe II Constituency of the Lagos State House of Assembly  by-elections slated for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020.

The spokesperson said the affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) for the restriction of movement order for the by-elections included Epe, IbejuLekki, Kosofe, Somolu and Ikorodu.

“However, Odumosu made the declaration to exempt WAEC officials and candidates from the restriction order in the affected LGAs after due consultation with relevant stakeholders,” he said.

According to Adejobi, Odumosu said that concerned WAEC staff would be identified by their Identification cards, while supervisors must be in possession of their appointment letters or identification cards and examination mail bags.

“Candidates will be identified by their photo cards which contain their names, passport photographs and subject details,” he said.

Odumosu urged those exempted from the restriction order to be law-abiding, orderly and courteous while communicating with security operatives in the course of their movement.

Source: NAN

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INEC National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu announced this on Sunday in Benin.

Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC commissioner incharge of Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers, is the commissioner overseeing the Edo election.

Addressing newsmen and party agents at the state collation centre, INEC headquarters, Benin, she said that results were still being expected from the 18 local government areas of the state.

She said: “This is to inform you all that we are still waiting for results from the local government areas.

“I am sorry we have to wait before we start collation. Only one local government has arrived in the centre.

“We are going to wait until at least, when results from seven local government areas arrive in the centre before we start.

“We do not want anybody to cast aspersions on us. So we are going to wait.”

Source: NAN

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Lawan stated this on Wednesday when playing host to a delegation of United Nations Women at the National Assembly, Abuja.

According to Lawan, “there’s a need to do more for women participation in politics and governance in Nigeria.”

“We are looking forward to improving the number of women at the National Assembly by widening and deepening the scope of participation by women in Nigerian politics,” Lawan said.

The Senate President recalled that the introduction and passage of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act by the 8th National Assembly facilitated the participation of young persons in politics during the last general elections.

He said the National Assembly, in a bid to extend the gesture to Nigerian women, “will be openly disposed to support everything that will widen the political space for them.”

“I believe that with the percentage of the population that our women in Nigeria have, they deserve to be there on the table when decisions will be taken.

“I believe that the support will be total, whole and complete when we are able to capture every possible interest or sphere of participation that women are supposed to be involved in,” Lawan said.

Earlier, the Deputy Executive Director and leader of the UN Women delegation, Ms. Asa Regner, called on the National Assembly to support efforts that will ensure the inclusion of women in governance.

According to Regner, Nigeria blazing the trail would encourage other countries within the African continent to widen the space for women participation in politics.

“Whatever happens in Nigeria plays a very important role in the region and the rest of the world,” Regner stressed.

On the visiting delegation are: Ms. Oulimata Sarr, Regional Director, West and Central Africa and Ms. Comfort Lamptey, Country Representative.

Senators present during the courtesy visit include: the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi; Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Boroffice; Deputy Chief Whip, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Deputy Minority Leader, Sahabi Y’au.

Others are: Senators Rose Okoh, Chairman, Committee on Trade and Investments; Oluremi Tinubu, Chairman, Committee on Communications; Betty Apiafi, Chairman, Committee on Women Affairs; Ibrahim Gobir, Chairman, Committee on National Security and Intelligence; Michael Nnachi, Vice Chairman, Committee on Surface, and Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North).

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INEC made the declaration in response to a protest embarked upon by the Senator-elect for Imo North Senatorial District, Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu, calling for the release of his certificate.

The commission had set up a committee to probe the case of electoral malpractices against Uwajumogu after he had been declared winner.

He went to court however to seek redress and the court ordered that he should be given his certificate.

The commission is however yet to obey the order of the Federal High Court.

Addressing journalists in Enugu on Monday, INEC  National Commissioner in-charge of Enugu, Anambra and Benue states, Festus Okoye, said the protest embarked upon by Uwajumogu was irrelevant.

According to him, INEC could not be stampeded into issuing the certificate.

Said he:  “We must study the court judgment before we can comply. As a commission, we must obey court orders. Even if we are not satisfied, we will obey first before we appeal.

“I can recall that the commission was served the judgment of the court on Wednesday, July 16.

“The said judgment could not undergo the regular processes and procedures of the commission and must wait for the next commission meeting.

“The commission will not be stampeded into taking precipitate action or decision that may be detrimental to the electoral process and procedures.”

He also spoke about the commission’s activities in the withdrawal and issuance of certificates of return.

He said the commission had withdrawn three certificates from the APC and issued to NNPP and NRM.

In addition, it withdrew 45 certificates from APC and issued to the PDP as a result of Supreme Court decision on the Zamfara APC party primary election.

“The commission withdrew 39 certificates from the APC and re-issued to another APC candidates,’’ he stated further.

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