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AnambraDecides2025: APC candidate wins polling unit by landslide

Fatimah QUADRI
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AnambraDecides2025: APC candidate wins polling unit by landslide

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the Saturday, November 8, 2025 election, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has won his polling unit by a wide margin.

At Polling Unit 12, Ward 2, Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area, the APC candidate polled 108 votes, defeating the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which secured four votes, while the Labour Party (LP) got no votes.

Nicholas Ukachukwu
Nicholas Ukachukwu

This result gives the APC candidate a landslide victory in his polling unit. It marks a decisive victory for the APC flag bearer in his home area, where voter turnout was described as moderate by observers.

Ukachukwu is one of the 16 candidates vying for the governorship seat in the state.

Vote counting is still ongoing across the state with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expected to announce official results once counting concludes at ward and local government levels.

The ICIR reported that the Labour Party candidate, George Moghalu, lost his polling unit to the APGA candidate.

The Anambra governorship election has drawn national attention, as it is the first major poll to be conducted under the new INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan.

As collation continues, the final results are expected to provide a clearer picture of voter sentiment across the 21 local government areas of the state.

 

 

Tanzanian government plans opposition leaders arrest after protests

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Tanzanian government plans opposition leaders arrest after protests

TANZANIAN authorities are planning the arrest of opposition leaders accused of instigating the violent protests that erupted across the country during last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

According to Reuters, the police released a list of 10 wanted individuals in a statement on Saturday, November 8, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the unrest, a day after prosecutors filed treason charges against 145 suspects.

“The Police Force, in collaboration with other defence and security agencies, is continuing a serious manhunt to find all who planned, coordinated and executed this evil act,” the organisation said.

According to the statement, those wanted for arrest include CHADEMA’s Secretary-General, John Mnyika; his deputy, Amaan Golugwa; and the party’s Head of Communications, Brenda Rupia.

The main opposition party, CHADEMA, along with several human rights activists, have claimed that security forces killed over 1,000 people but the government dismissed the figures as exaggerated, without providing its own official death toll.

CHADEMA leader, Tundu Lissu, who was charged with treason in April, was barred from contesting the election, a move, along with the disqualification of another major opposition candidate, that has fueled the ongoing protests.

The electoral commission announced incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan as the winner, securing nearly 98 per cent of the votes. She took the oath of office on Monday.

Observers from the African Union described the election as lacking credibility, citing evidence of ballot box stuffing. The government, however, rejected the allegations, insisting that the election was free and fair.

In the statement released on Saturday, police detailed for the first time the scale of the unrest, saying violent protests erupted on October 29 in the cities of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Mbeya, as well as several other regions across the country.

Police confirmed that people were injured during the violence but did not provide further details, adding that both private and public property including ATMs and government offices were vandalised.

The ICIR reported that the main opposition party had claimed that 700 people were lost to the protests.

LIVE-CHECK: Anambra 2025 governorship election

Editorial
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LIVE-CHECK: Anambra 2025 governorship election

By Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition.

The Anambra State 2025 Governorship Election kicks off Saturday morning as voters cast their ballots to elect the next governor for the Southeastern Nigerian state.

Our team of journalists, researchers, fact-checkers, social media monitors, editors, and OSINT experts are on ground at the Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition’s (NFC) Election Situation Rooms located in Lagos and Abuja, to debunk election-related misinformation and disinformation content targeted at causing voter apathy, inciting violence or influencing the outcome of gubernatorial poll.

Do you have an election-related claim you want us to fact-check?

Share with the NFC via WhatsApp here.

This page is constantly being updated with verified checks. 

CLAIM 13

CLAIM: An X user claims Peter Obi was spotted sharing money. 

FINDINGS: A Google Reverse image search reveals that the picture attached to the claim has been online since December 2022. Additionally, NFC compared the photo in the images with the one shared by a field observer with the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID), as well as news platforms, and observed a total difference in the clothes he wore during the ongoing election.

VERDICT: INCORRECT 

SOURCES: Google Reverse Image, CJID field observer, Punch and The Nation. 

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Mohammed Taoheed 

EDITORS: Kemi Busari and Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 12

CLAIM: An X user claimed that Ezechukwu Nweke, Action Alliance (AA) gubernatorial candidate, is currently leading the polls by a wide margin.

FINDINGS: As of 2:37 pm, field observers from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) reported that election results had not yet been sorted or collated. Vote sorting across all polling units began at 2.30pm, making it impossible to verify which candidate was leading at the time the claim was made.

VERDICT: INCORRECT

SOURCES: CJID field observers

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Phillip Anjorin

EDITORS: Kemi Busari and Motunrayo Joel

CLAIM 11

CLAIM: An X user claimed that voters are being swayed with Gala and Malt at the ongoing Anambra guber poll.

FINDINGS: The NFC used various techniques and tools to trace the video’s origin, but found no leads. While vote-buying has been confirmed during the ongoing election, the video’s poor quality casts doubt on whether it is related to the gubernatorial poll.

VERDICT: UNPROVEN

SOURCES: Field observers

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Phillip Anjorin

EDITORS: 

CLAIM 10

CLAIM: An X user claimed that the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, defeated the Labour Party with 73 votes to 57 votes at Peter Obi’s polling unit. 

FINDINGS: Data from the INEC IReV portal revealed that the APC garnered 73 votes from the 173 valid ballots in Polling unit 019, Umudim Akasi Square, Agulu II Ward, Anaocha Local Government. By contrast, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) recorded 38 votes, while the Labour Party gained 57 votes. 

VERDICT: CORRECT

SOURCES: INEC IReV

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Phillip Anjorin

EDITORS: 

CLAIM 9

CLAIM: Michael Chibuzo, in a Facebook group of over 85,000 members, claimed (archived) that two of Chukwuma Soludo’s Mayors were caught with N750 million cash each.

FINDINGS: In October 2024, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo swore in 21 local government chairpersons referred to as mayors. The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition found no reports confirming such an arrest, and the Anambra State Police Command said the claim is false. Police Spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga informed the coalition that police patrol groups across the state had not reported such an incident.

VERDICT: INCORRECT

SOURCES: Nigeria Police

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun

EDITORS: David Ajikobi, Lois Ugbede & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 8

CLAIM: A Facebook user, Bube Africà, shared (archived) a video displaying bundles of cash, claiming in the caption that it was “election-sensitive materials” delivered for the Anambra election.

FINDINGS: A reverse image search reveals that the same video was posted on Instagram in April 2025, months before the Anambra election in November. The captions claim the bundles of cash are from Nigeria’s socialite, Obi Cubana’s birthday celebration. Also, using keyword search, we located the same video posted on Pulse Nigeria’s TikTok account.  The video has been on the internet before the Anambra election.

VERDICT: INCORRECT

SOURCES: Google reverse image search, Pulse Nigeria

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun

EDITORS: David Ajikobi, Lois Ugbede, Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 7

CLAIM: An X user @Ojay147_  posted a picture of a man who sustained an injury on his head with the hashtag #anambradecides2025.

FINDINGS: An image search shows the image has been online since 2018. A TV report from Igbere TV News on June 24, 2018, shows that the picture was taken during a violent clash among members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Dunukofia Local Government Area, Anambra State. The party’s deputy chairperson, Emma Otika, reportedly sustained a head injury during the attack when party executives from Dunukofia staged a protest at APGA’s state secretariat and the state House of Assembly in Awka.

VERDICT: Misleading

SOURCES: Igbere TV News, Facebook

DATE: 8/11/2025 

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Fatimah Quadri

EDITOR: David Ajikobi & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 6

CLAIM: An X user @starvillageboy (archived link) claimed that the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) did not field any candidate in the Anambra gubernatorial election.

FINDINGS: The final report from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lists PDP candidate Jude Ezewanfor in the Anambra governorship race. He has also appeared in multiple media interviews, sharing his plans for the state if elected.

VERDICT: Incorrect

SOURCES: INEC, TVC News

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Lademi Aborisade

EDITORS: Kemi Busari and Motunrayo Joel

CLAIM 5

CLAIM: X user, @Esteembehemoth,  congratulates (archived) Governor Charles Soludo as the winner in the ongoing Anambra elections.

FINDINGS: As of 12:30 p.m. on November 8, voting is ongoing in all polling units in Anambra State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to declare a winner for the governorship election. 

VERDICT: Incorrect 

SOURCES: INEC 

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Pascal Ibe 

EDITORS:  David Ajikobi & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 4

CLAIM: A Facebook user, Ogechukwu Akwaeze, claimed that the local government chairperson of Anambra East, Ifeanyi Chinweze, visited Community Development Primary School, Umueri Ward 2, Unit 003, accompanied by armed men to disrupt the election and intimidate voters. 

FINDINGS: CJID observer Grace Nnoruka informed NFC that the LGA chairperson visited some polling units in the area. She also confirmed the presence of police vans in the polling unit but noted there was no form of intimidation. The observer stated that the LG chairperson and the police arrived at different times but departed almost simultaneously. Images from Arise TV confirm the peaceful conduct of the election at the polling unit.

VERDICT: Misleading

SOURCES: NFC observer, Arise TV

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Elizabeth Ogunbamowo

EDITORS: Simbiat Bakare & Lois Ugbede

CLAIM 3

CLAIM: A TikTok user, Nigeria Undivided shared a video showing a group of women being helped to thumbprint on a ballot paper, claiming it was recorded in Anambra on November 8.

FINDINGS: A key frame analysis of the video revealed that it was originally shared on X in 2023 by user @ThatVyktur, who alleged election rigging in the South East during the general election. The video is therefore not recent.

VERDICT: INCORRECT

SOURCES: X (formerly Twitter)

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Elizabeth Ogunbamowo

EDITORS: Kemi Busari and Motunrayo Joel

CLAIM: 2 

CLAIM: An X user, @Tkoy2025, claimed (archived) that there is massive vote-buying ongoing in Anambra State by APGA and APC.

FINDINGS: Two journalists covering the election, Chingorom Ugwu of PREMIUM TIMES and Mustapha Usman of the ICIR, confirmed witnessing vote-buying in multiple locations. Also, PREMIUM TIMES’ early report indicates that vote-buying is rampant.

VERDICT: Correct 

SOURCES:  Premium Times, Journalists 

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACT-CHECK AUTHOR: Pascal Ibe 

EDITORS: Motunrayo Joel and Kemi Busari

CLAIM 1

CLAIM: An X user claimed that Ezechukwu Nweke, Action Alliance (AA) gubernatorial candidate, is currently leading the polls by a wide margin.

FINDINGS: As of 2:37 pm, field observers from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) reported that election results had not yet been sorted or collated. Vote sorting across all polling units began at 2.30pm, making it impossible to verify which candidate was leading at the time the claim was made.

VERDICT: INCORRECT

SOURCES: CJID field observers

DATE: 8/11/2025

FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Phillip Anjorin

EDITORS: Kemi Busari and Motunrayo Joel

 

Soludo alleges vote buying in Anambra governorship election

Fatimah QUADRI
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Soludo alleges vote buying in Anambra governorship election

ANAMBRA State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has alleged vote buying in parts of Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election holding today, Saturday, November 8, made the claim while addressing journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 002, Ofiyi Ward 13, Aguata Local Government Area.

He expressed confidence in his chances of winning while condemning what he described as electoral malpractice.

“We have intelligence reports about massive vote buying in the Nnewi South axis. Some candidates are offering N50,000. Despite this, I am confident of winning all 21 local government areas of the state,” he said.

Soludo also urged voters to exercise their civic rights without succumbing to monetary inducement.

Meanwhile, The ICIR reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate Soludo for promising cash rewards to supporters whose wards deliver victories for APGA in the election.

The controversy arose following the governor’s pledge during a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, on October 25, to offer financial rewards to wards that voted overwhelmingly for him.

“When we were campaigning for the Senate, we knew we were going to win every ward in the South Senatorial Zone, but we still had some incentives. Any ward that APGA won received ₦1 million, and we won all the wards in Orumba South,” Soludo was quoted to have said.

“We promised each of these wards ₦1 million, and next week, we will redeem it. The ward that comes first will get ₦5 million, the second ₦3 million, and the third ₦2 million. For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive ₦1 million, while the first three performing wards will get ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million respectively.”

[BREAKING] Anambra: LP’s George Moghalu loses polling unit

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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[BREAKING] Anambra: LP’s George Moghalu loses polling unit

THE Labour Party (LP) candidate in the Anambra State governorship election, George Moghalu, has lost his polling unit.

He lost to the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)

Moghalu polled 22 votes to trail Soludo, who won 57 votes. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ukachukwu Nicholas, garnered five votes.

At the Polling Unit 017, Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi North Local Government Area, there were 463 registered voters, out of which 86 were accredited.

The ongoing election has so far been peaceful. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) data, 2,802,790 registered voters across 21 Local Government Areas, 326 political wards, and 5,718 polling units were to participate in the exercise.

The INEC data further shows that over 1.7 million voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while more than 7,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) were deployed for the election.

The ICIR reported that the electoral body had cleared 16 candidates from various political parties to vie for the highest political office in the state, including APGA’s Soludo, APC’s Nicholas, Moghalu’s LP, and Ezenwafor Jude of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)

Peter Obi votes, condemns vote buying in Anambra poll

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Peter Obi votes, condemns vote buying in Anambra poll

FORMER Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Saturday cast his vote in the state governorship election and lamented alleged persistent vote buying.

Obi voted at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi, Agulu Ward 2, Anaocha Local Government Area, around 12pm.

Addressing journalists after casting his ballot, Obi decried the practice, describing it as a major threat to Nigeria’s democracy. “Our democracy is deteriorating, and unfortunately, those who benefit from bad governance are the ones sustaining it,” he said.

He lamented that voters, often unemployed, were being paid to sell their votes.

“Someone who is not employed collects ₦30,000 for their vote. That means they have sold their school, their hospital, their job opportunities. They are selling away their future. That is what is very worrisome about our democracy,” Obi said.

Comparing the situation with other countries, he noted that even in West African elections he had observed, such widespread vote buying was rare. He called for reforms to strengthen electoral integrity.

The ICIR reports that the Saturday’s elections have drawn 121 accredited local and international observers and 76 media organisations.

It’s also the first assignment for the new INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, a professor.

The election has so far been peaceful. According to the INEC data, 2,802,790 registered voters across 21 Local Government Areas, 326 political wards, and 5,718 polling units are expected to participate in the exercise.

The INEC data further shows that over 1.7 million voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while more than 7,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) were deployed for the election.

The ICIR reported that the electoral body had cleared 16 candidates from various political parties to vie for the highest political office in the state, including the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ukachukwu Nicholas, All Progressives  Congress (APC), Ezenwafor Jude, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and Moghalu Nnadubem, Labour Party (LP).

Anambra: LP governorship candidate Moghalu votes, laments voter apathy

Mustapha USMAN
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Anambra: LP governorship candidate Moghalu votes, laments voter apathy

THE Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Anambra State, George Moghalu, has cast his vote at polling Unit 017, Iba Okpunoeze Hall 2, Uruago Ward 1, in Nnewi North Local Government Area.

Moghalu arrived at the polling unit around 11:30 a.m., where he was accredited before casting his vote.

Addressing journalists shortly after, he expressed disappointment over the low voter turnout observed across several polling units in Nnewi North, describing it as a worrying sign of the people’s waning trust in the electoral process.

“Voter apathy is the manifestation of the lack of confidence people have in INEC,” Moghalu said.

He added that the government weaponised poverty against the people, adding that as long as citizens remained impoverished, it would be difficult to expect truly free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, data from his polling unit and surrounding areas reflect the low participation he claimed.

As of 12:00 p.m., at Polling Unit 017, where Moghalu voted, only 69 out of 463 registered voters had been accredited.

In the nearby Polling Unit 016, in the same Iba Okpunoeze Hall 2, Uruago Ward 1, there were 123 accredited voters out of 856 registered, while Polling Unit 018 recorded 86 accredited voters out of 563 registered.

Across Urugua Ward, several polling units at the Cooperative Centre, Nnewi North, also witnessed poor turnout. At Polling Unit 011 (Cooperative Centre 1), only 28 out of 188 registered voters had been accredited as of 10:50 a.m, according to the presiding officer who spoke with The ICIR.

Similarly, Polling Unit 012 (Cooperative Centre 2), which began voting around 9:00 a.m., accredited just 41 out of 422 registered voters as of 11:00 a.m., according to presiding officer Mubarak Adam.

At Polling Unit 013 (Cooperative Centre 3), only fewer than 100 of 796 registered voters had voted by midday, further illustrating the low participation trend.

A Labour Party agent who spoke with The ICIR alleged that his party was struggling to attract votes because it refused to engage in voter inducement, claiming that “other parties are openly giving out money to voters.”

Earlier, in an exclusive interview with The ICIR at his residence in Iba Okpunoeze, Nnewi North, Moghalu discussed the challenges of vote buying, voter inducement, and election security, urging the authorities and electoral officials to maintain fairness and transparency throughout the process.

Despite the low turnout, election officers at the units confirmed that voting was ongoing peacefully, with no reports of malfunctioning BVAS devices or security breaches.

Police officers were also on ground to ensure a calm voting environment.

The election, which began early Saturday across the state’s 21 local government areas, has been peaceful.

Some areas reported early arrival of voters and smooth accreditation, others, including parts of Nnewi North, have seen a sluggish turnout.

NYSC extends 2025 Batch C registration by 48 hours over system glitch

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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NYSC extends 2025 Batch C registration by 48 hours over system glitch

THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the online registration for the 2025 Batch C prospective corps members by 48 hours due to technical challenges encountered during the exercise.

In a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, on Saturday, the NYSC announced that the registration, initially set to close on November 9, would end at midnight on Tuesday, November 11.

“The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has noted the difficulties being faced by some prospective corps members (PCMs) in the ongoing registration for the 2025 Batch ‘C’ mobilisation. The longer than usual time it is taking some PCMs to complete the registration is as a result of network issues.”

The Corps apologised to applicants for the inconvenience, noting that it’s working to resolve the glitch.

“While management regrets the inconvenience this might have caused our valued PCMs, we wish to assure all that we are working round the clock to resolve the issues and ensure they enjoy seamless registration.

“In view of this regrettable development, management has extended the registration period by 48 hours till midnight of Tuesday, 11th November 2025, to enable our enthusiastic PCMs conclude their registration,” the statement read.

Anambra: Poling unit with 923 registered voters in Soludo’s hometown struggles with crowd

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Anambra: Poling unit with 923 registered voters in Soludo’s hometown struggles with crowd

REPORTS of overcrowding have emerged from Polling Unit 002, Umuezeadigo Street, in Isuofia community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, where about 923 registered voters are jostling to cast their ballots.

The unusually large number has led to long queues and delays, with election observers noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should have split the polling unit into two or more to ease the process.

Isuofia is the hometown of the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo, a professor, while Aguata is one of the seven local government areas that make up the Anambra South Senatorial District.

The ICIR reports that voters in Anambra State are today electing their next governor, as Soludo’s first tenure ends in March 2026.

The governor, seeking re-election, contests with other 15 candidates vying to govern the state for the next four years.

Over two million voters are eligible to vote across 5,720 polling units spread within the 21 local government areas of the state.

Among the 16 candidates, four are regarded as major contenders namely: Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); entrepreneur Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); former managing director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP); and businessman and economist, John Chuma-Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Adeboye urges FG to eliminate terrorists, sponsors to avert US invasion

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Adeboye urges FG to eliminate terrorists, sponsors to avert US invasion

THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, has called on the Federal Government to take swift action in eliminating terrorists and their sponsors to avert United States military operations in Nigeria.

Adeboye made the call Friday night during the November Holy Ghost Service, while reacting to recent threats by the United States President Donald Trump.

The cleric’s warning came after remarks by Trump, who vowed to end all aid to Nigeria and deploy the United States military to fight terrorists in Africa’s most populous nation if what he termed “Christian genocide” continued.

The ICIR reported that Trump added Nigeria to countries on watchlist for Christian genocide on Friday, October 31.

The Countries of Particular Concern list also includes China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan, among others.

The US leader said he had asked US Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole, along with the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the issue and report their findings to him.

In his message Friday night, Adeboye warned that if the United States eventually invades Nigeria, China, Russia, and other global powers would not intervene to defend the country.

“All the so-called world leaders will talk, they will condemn what America has done in the strongest terms, that’s all they will do. Britain is not going to come and help us. No other foreign power will come to our aid.

“This is not the time for joking. This is not the time for drama. This is not the time for semantics. This is not the time to begin to argue, is it suicide or kidnapping or whatever name they call it? And this is not the time to say, ‘Ah, it’s not Christians alone, Muslims are also involved.’ The point is, people are dying. Innocent people are dying,” he added.

He said he had advised the late President Muhammadu Buhari and other past leaders to deal decisively with the nation’s insecurity crisis.

“Our President inherited this problem,” he said, recalling the tenure of the late Buhari, whom he said had once privately advised to take decisive action when killings in the country became unbearable. He said Buhari did not follow through with the directive after issuing it to his security chiefs.

“Some of you will remember who called the service chiefs together and said, ‘I give you three months, get rid of all these Boko Haram people or resign. It’s not allowed to tell you who gave him that advice. He ran with that advice, but he didn’t follow it through, because he gave the order as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the security operatives moved fast.

“But three months went by, and the work was not done. So, I went to see him. It wasn’t unusual. This time, somehow, the press got to know that I visited him. Of course, they were not there when we talked.

“Unfortunately, like I said, he’s not alive now. I would have asked you to go and ask him, ‘Sir, why didn’t you follow through? Because when three months passed and the work wasn’t done, why didn’t you proceed with your, are we going to call it a threat?” he said. 

He further advised Tinubu to appeal to Trump for a 100-day grace period to address the insurgency in Nigeria, noting that the president should, in turn, issue a marching order to the service chiefs and other security agencies to resolve the issues within 90 days.

“Let the government use diplomatic methods to convince President Trump to give us 100 days of grace. All our service chiefs, fortunately, are new, should perform within three months, or resign,” he said.

“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists but also their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” the cleric stated.

He pleaded that Nigerians should stop apportioning blame. 

 

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