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Muslim-Muslim Ticket: CAN cracks over Tinubu’s campaign list

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Cracks in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were visible last week in the ranks of the religious organisation.

It had to do with CAN’s position on overt partisanship and the same-faith presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But the leadership of the apex Christian body rose to the occasion with a sense of urgency to mend the cracks and de-escalate the situation which threatened to tear the house apart.

It commenced an investigation into the real motive behind a leaked  ‘revised list’ of the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, which featured the names of at least eight senior officers and members of CAN.

Among them are the Assistant General Secretary of CAN, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu, who was recruited as Deputy Coordinator, Stakeholder Relations; Lagos State CAN Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite (member); National Director, Legal and Public Affairs Directorate of CAN, Barr. Comfort Chigbue (member); and Mr Testimony Onifade, former Personal Assistant to immediate past CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle (member).

Others are Dr Victor Ivoke, Personal Assistant to Archbishop Daniel Okoh, current President of CAN (member); CAN’s former Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Samuel (member) and Prof. Para-Mallam (member).

Okoh distanced himself from the purported APC Presidential Campaign Council list; describing the appearance of the names of his officials and aide as a worrisome development because it countered the well-known stance of CAN on partisanship.

He said, “I want to categorically exonerate my humble self from this development and any of such that may occur in the future.

“I want to use this medium to assure all Christians in Nigeria and the general public that since I received the news, I have commenced full investigation into how the officials got involved in overt partisanship.

“At the end of the probe, CAN will take fair, but decisive and appropriate action with a view to defending the ideals of the umbrella Christian body I lead by the grace of the Almighty God.

“On a final note, I urge the general public to be calm while we collectively work to entrench a culture of inclusion and respect for our religious diversities in our political leadership.”

Following the outrage that greeted the purported APC campaign council list, many of the CAN members whose name had featured in it denounced their inclusion.

While Ivoke, who is in far away Rome observing the Holy Pilgrimage, had written a letter titled, ‘Re: Inclusion in APC Presidential Campaign Council List’ and ready for dispatch on his behalf to Governor Simon Lalong (Director-General of the APC campaign council), wherein he (Ivoke) stated that he was not a member of the party and therefore ought not to have been listed, Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam,  explained that neither he nor his wife, Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam, was aware of their nomination as members of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu campaign team as their consent was not sought.

But investigation revealed that the purported list that had the names of the eight CAN members was fake and concocted, and its leak to the press was a hatchet job to ridicule the leadership and image of CAN.

A copy of the 33-page authentic list of the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign Council signed by the APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and obtained by  Sunday Vanguard,  had only the name of Sanyaolu, Assistant General Secretary of CAN.

Sanyaolu, however, owned up to his inclusion in the campaign council while publicly accepting the offer to work for the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s emergence as Nigeria’s next President despite the public stance of the Christian body against partisanship and the same-faith ticket.

He, however, explained that his decision was personal and had nothing to do with CAN.

According to him, he had been a card-carrying member of the APC since 2020, and had also contested for the Ogun Central senatorial ticket in the party’s primaries in May this year.

Sanyaolu urged the public to place a distinction between his personal life and position in CAN; stressing that he had been active in partisan politics in the past three decades and had served as a Commissioner in Ogun State government between 2003 and 2007.

He said, “It is pertinent for me to state that as a member of CAN and an Apostle of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim & Seraphim (ESOCS) Church, I have been in partisan politics for over three (3) decades.

“I have been involved in politics from the grassroots to state and national level. In the course of my political sojourn I have had cause to be a member of several political parties and lately, the All Progressives Congress (APC). My participation in partisan politics is largely known to the Church, members of the congregation and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“On the return of democracy, I served in the cabinet of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Governor of Ogun State as Commissioner between 2003 and 2007. I was later appointed as the Chairman of the Ogun State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board based on my publicly known religious postures and involvements.”

While stating that he has had a successful career as a chartered accountant and a successful commercial farmer in Ogun State since 1980s, he dismissed the allegation that he accepted to be part of the APC campaign council for pecuniary gains.

He also offered to resign his position in CAN rather than be a reason for the public ridicule of Christ Jesus and the umbrella Christian organisation.

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“Go and Verify”: How Sunday Umeha Is Redefining Representation in Ezeagu/Udi

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Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha has continued to distinguish himself not only as a grassroots politician but as a sound parliamentarian who clearly understands the true essence of legislative representation and public service.

Since emerging as the Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Umeha has consistently demonstrated capacity, vision, and commitment both on the floor of the National Assembly and within his constituency.

Unlike many politicians whose promises disappear after elections, Rt. Hon. Umeha has steadily transformed his campaign mantra, “Go and Verify,” into practical realities visible across communities in Ezeagu and Udi Federal Constituency.

From road construction to solar-powered streetlights, classroom projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural empowerment, scholarships, boreholes, and youth development programmes, his stewardship has remained rooted in service delivery and measurable impact.

Observers say one of the strongest qualities that separates Umeha from many lawmakers is his deep understanding of parliamentary responsibilities. Through strategic bills and motions, he has continued to show that representation goes beyond rhetoric and political appearances.

Among several notable legislative efforts, he sponsored bills seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, reforms in the education sector through the abolition of levies in public basic schools, mandatory insurance protection for NYSC members, and the establishment of a National Football Academy.

He also sponsored motions addressing critical national concerns, including the investigation into the gruesome killing of Nigerians by soldiers in Enugu State and the urgent completion of the Karshi/Apo Road project in Abuja to ease traffic congestion.

Political analysts note that these interventions reflect a lawmaker who understands that effective representation must combine constituency development with strong legislative advocacy.

Many constituents equally commend him for remaining faithful to the promises he made during his campaigns. Across the constituency, residents point to completed and ongoing projects as evidence that the lawmaker has not reneged on his commitments to the people.

Beyond governance and legislative duties, Rt. Hon. Umeha also played significant roles in efforts aimed at restoring sanity, stability, and internal cohesion within the Labour Party before his eventual defection to the APC.

Sources within the political space in Enugu State revealed that Umeha consistently pushed for peace, unity, and institutional order within the party during periods of internal crisis and leadership disagreements. His interventions were said to be driven by the desire to protect the interests of party members and preserve the integrity of the platform.

However, following prolonged internal challenges and unresolved structural issues within the Labour Party, the federal lawmaker eventually moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision many political observers described as strategic and inevitable.

Despite the political transition, supporters insist that his focus has remained unchanged — delivering quality representation, empowering constituents, and sustaining developmental projects across Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.

For many residents, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha represents a rare blend of grassroots leadership, legislative competence, humility, and political responsibility.

And across the constituency, the verdict from many communities remains simple:

“He promised, and he delivered.”

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Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma Lays His Beloved Sister to Rest

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Today, Friday 8 May 2026, Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma (Onwa Umueri) laid his beloved sister, Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke to rest in a solemn but dignified ceremony.

A large number of family and friends gathered in Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area for her burial.

It was a solemn yet beautiful celebration of a life well lived, one marked by grace, resilience, and strong family values. The Funeral Mass was officiated by His Emience, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpalaeke, The Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese.

In a heartfelt family tribute, Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma shared that her sister “it is indeed well with your soul and has gone to rest with the Lord,” expressing profound grief over the irreplaceable loss of a beloved sibling who played a significant role in their family. He prayed for God to grant her His mercy and reward her with Beatic Vision. He opined that they as a family will continue from where she stopped. Our Hope in God and Believe in the resurrection of the dead and communion of the saints will spur them on as they continue to place all their hopes in God who made Heaven and Earth.

The Funeral and Burial Ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries including Her Excellency Senator Dr Iyom Uche Ekwunife, APC State Chairman, Most Distinguished Senator Emma Anosike, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa (Okeife Alor), YPP Deputy Governorship Candidate 2025 Governorship Election, His Excellency, Chief Uzu Okagbue, Former Nigeria Ambassador to Burundi, His Excellency, Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba (Ozonkpu Ike Enuguwu-Ukwu N’Umunri, Dr Oby Orah, Executive Director FAAN, Prof Charles Esimone, Former Vice Chancellor Unizik, Chief Hon Raph Okeke, Barr CJ Chinwuba, Hon Chizo Obidigwe, Hon JC Okeke (Deputy Chairman ,APC Anambra State, chief Anthony Obiazie (Ichie Ide), Onwa Lento Aluminium.

Others are The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University and Members of the Governing Council, the Rector Anambra State Polytechnic,Dr Njideka Rita Chiekezie, Hon Obi Henry APC State secretary, Hon Ify Nwachukwu (Ada Onowu), Prof Jaja Nwanegbo, and several other respected leaders from the political, traditional, and religious communities.

Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke died after Major Brain Tumour Surgery in Germany, aged 44 years. May the soul of Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke rest in perfect peace, and may God grant the entire Chukwuma of Umueri and Okeke family of Ogboji, the strength and comfort to bear this irreparable loss.

*Videos and Photos Speak:*
*(C) Paschal Candle.*

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2027: Anambra ADC Intact Despite Obi, Kwankwaso Departure – Guber Candidate

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By Okey Maduforo Awka

Gubernatorial candidate Mr John Nwosu and running mate of the African Democratic Congress ADC in Anambra state Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu have stated that despite the deoature of Mr Peter Obi, and Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,the party is still intact and would run it’s full course in the 2027 general election.

The duo however lamented that the deoature of Obi is indeed painful but was quick to add that the party must forge ahead .

He said as leaders, Obi and Kwankwaso and other key chieftains of the ADC who suddenly left to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) would have waited to resolve the problems the ADC is facing when it mattered most rather than taking a swift to another fold.

Chief Nwobu bared his mind and feelings of other stakeholders of the ADC while briefing newsmen shortly after the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting held on Friday in Awka the state capital.

He noted with nostalgia that the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi could have shown restraint and commitment in the ADC even in face of the party’s plethora of litigations pending before different courts than leaving it unceremoniously with others.

He vowed that despite the development, leaders and members of the State chapter of the ADC are resolute to take the full circle of the electoral battle ahead of next year’s general elections and would get to it to successfully.

Accorisng to him, the National leadership of the party was not given the opportunity to settle down even less than 24 hours before the supreme Court judgment on Thursday last week when news about the detection of those who left the party rented the air waves up till Friday and Saturday same week and finally on Sunday when the news was finally blown to the entire world.

Nwobu disclosed that the opposition ADC in the state at the moment parades about nine House of Representatives and six State House of Assembly aspirants who have bought nomination forms to contest the 2027 elections while more have indicated interest to join the epical race.

The ADC stalwart further maintained that all those who indicated interest to contest the various positions are greatly prepared to run the race with high morals.

“We feel pains that these people left the party (ADC); definitely it’s going to affect the gains of the party. There’s no point saying every other thing. That having been said I am telling you that those who remain in the party are resolute and prepared to run the course.

He said the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting reaffirm loyalty and support to the National leadership under David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary.

Nwobu who was flanked by Hon. Christian Okeke, Ven. Chris Orajekwe and Arch. Afam Moma, Samuel Ikefuna, and Reginald Akunekwe and Ben Chuks Nwosu said “the state leaders reaffirm loyalty and support of the ADC Anambra state to the National leadership headed by Senator David Mark and His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola.”

“The meeting resolved to commend the founding chairman of the ADC Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu for the exemplary show of representing the ADC platform as an umbrella body for the coalition and his selfless role In navigating the coalition to it’s fruition.”

“And we wish to affirm that the ADC’s best is from Anambra state and Anambra state will not be found wanting in the efforts of the party to achieve success during the 2027 general elections,” he said.

“For our brothers who has moved on tp other platform, we wish them well. I look forward to a day we will all join hands together to salvage this country,” Nwobu stated.

He explained further that no new leadership has been Inaugurated in Anambra,adding that that it’s unnecessary for somebody to say he or she has resigned as the party is still contending on issues of offices, conduct of Congresses at the Federal High court.

Chief Nwobu stated that the Inauguration of officials elected at Congresses across the states would be made on the 11th of this month.

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