Edo LG chairman, 8 councillors, defect to APC

THE quest by the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) to take over the 18 local government areas in Edo State assumed a new dimension on Friday as the Chairman of Ovia South West local government area, Hon Edosa Enowoghomenma defected to the APC with eight elected councillors including the Leader of the House, Hon. Nosakhare Edobor.

In another development, the chairman of Owan West local government area Hon Dickson Ahonsi and five elected councillors also defected to the APC as the face-off between the councils and Governor Monday Okpebholo continues.

Ahonsi said their decision to join the APC was influenced by the steps taken so far by Governor Okpebholo to develop the state. They were received by the State Secretary of the party, Engr. Lawrence Okah and other members of the state executive committee.

He said “Firstly, his activities on the assumption of office were impressive as he made important appointments, unlike the previous government. Soon the list of commissioners will be released and it is a welcome development.

“The projects that he has embarked upon show clearly that Edo is in safe hands and that is why I am here to join the party.”

Okah, while receiving the suspended chairman and councillors into the party said the doors of the party are open to receive more defectors.

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“We have long been expecting you to join us . APC now has five Councilors and more will come. Use the broom to mobilize other people to join the party”.

Meanwhile, the defectors from Ovia South West were received by the chairman of the party, Emmanuel Ogbomo who told them that they would not regret joining the ruling party in the state.

According to him, “There is nothing new about what you are doing today, I was in the PDP for 20 years before I left and now I am the LGA chairman of the party which means that in the APC everybody is treated equally and you will not regret your action, we will join to protect you and your office.”

Speaking earlier before he was presented with the paraphernalia of the party, Enowoghomenma said they decided to join the APC to support Governor Monday Okpebholo and their son, the deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa to develop the state.

Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has arrested two men in connection with the m8rder of an elderly woman accused of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, January 2, confirmed the suspects, Bako, 50, and Oyaje Clement, 40, were arrested for their alleged roles in the k!lling which occurred on Christmas Eve.

Anene described the incident as a troubling trend of mob justice in the state, particularly targeting elderly individuals accused of witchcraft.

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“Another worrisome situation in the state is the case of people taking the law into their own hands, particularly young people killing the elderly for alleged cases of witchcraft,” she stated.

“On December 24, 2024, around 7:00 p.m., we received information about the killing of an aged woman over allegations of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu LGA. Following investigations, two suspects were arrested in connection to the case.”

She reiterated the police commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and urged the public to refrain from jungle justice.

Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue

Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don

Muslims have been urged to turn mosques to research centers, where people can learn many things as it is done in some foreign countries.

This was stated by Dr Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University, Ojo at the inauguration of Jama-At-Ul-Islamiyya of Nigeria Division 7 Central Mosque, Lagos Branch, Magodo and N500 million fund raising for J.I.N International Schools.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, hailed the organization for peaceful promotion of the Islamic religion in the state.

Dr Timehin said Muslims don’t take care of mosques,

“All mosques belong to God and it is a place dedicated to worshipping God no matter the name given to it. It should be a research center. A Muslim can pray anywhere he wants, but the place where Muslims gather that we call mosque must be a place to remember God.

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“It is not where you talk about yourself, it is about God. Here, in Yorubaland, we don’t have a better understanding of mosques. They think it is a place to compete with money. It is where you fear God. It is the first school, it was where Prophet Muhammed taught people,” he said.

The scholar stressed that a mosque is not just about religion, and that the first university in the world started from a mosque.

Dr Timehin said that in those days, all mosques had libraries, classrooms and that scholars lived there.

He added that it was a place for Muslims to resolve issues, adding that the first parliament in Islam started from a mosque.

“A mosque should be revered. We can do all sorts of learning in a mosque. In Iraq, all their mosques have libraries and all the Imams have offices. The Imam should have visiting hours to attend to people. We should have all these in our mosques. Mosques are known for good things generally. We don’t even get good messages in many mosques these days. An Imam should be able to talk to anybody. An Imam should know something about everything because you will be talking to a lot of people.

“In some countries, they have places for research and people see mosques as a place for social engagements. This mosque has several features and we can add others. It should not be for Jumat prayers or marriages alone. They should organise workshops and seminars there,” he said.

Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don