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HURIWA Blasts Onanuga as Tribal Bigot, Declares Support for Sowore’s Protest*

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IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
By George Mgbeleke
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, describing him as a “tribal bigot” whose utterances are not only divisive but dangerous to Nigeria’s fragile unity.
The Association said Onanuga’s recent statement that detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, “will get what he deserves” is a clear reflection of the dysfunction and double standards that have long defined Nigeria’s justice system, where individuals from certain ethnic backgrounds are persecuted for dissent while others are rewarded for incitement.
In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, HURIWA said Onanuga, who openly threatened the Igbo people during the 2023 general elections, ought to be in the DSS underground cell instead of occupying a powerful seat in Aso Rock.
“Bayo Onanuga is the one who deserves to be in DSS custody, not Nnamdi Kanu,” HURIWA declared. “In 2023, he incited ethnic hatred when he warned Igbos to stay out of Lagos politics. He said, ‘Let 2023 be the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics.’ That was hate speech at its worst; a direct assault on the Igbo nationality. Yet, he roams free and enjoys presidential privileges.”
The rights group said Onanuga’s comments are not just an attack on Kanu but an affront to the entire Igbo-speaking population of Nigeria, adding that Kanu’s agitation represents the cry of a people who have long suffered systemic marginalization and exclusion.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s message, though sometimes delivered in strong language, was rooted in the call for equity and justice for the Igbo race. Anyone who denies that the Igbo people are systematically marginalized in modern-day Nigeria is either dishonest or an outcast among his people,” the association said.
HURIWA noted that Onanuga’s renewed attack on rights activist Omoyele Sowore and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for supporting Kanu’s release was both hypocritical and arrogant. “It is ironic that Onanuga accused Atiku of commenting on a case before the court while he himself is making inflammatory pronouncements on the same issue,” the group said.
“Onanuga is not the Chief Justice of Nigeria. He has no right to sit in Aso Rock and pass judgment on Kanu. What gives him the moral or legal authority to pre-judge a matter in court while pretending to caution others?” HURIWA queried.
The Association announced that it would join and fully support the peaceful protest being organised by Omoyele Sowore to demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release, saying the time has come for Nigerians, especially the Igbo people, to rise against selective justice.
“Let the heavens fall, we will come out. Enough is enough. Every right-thinking Igbo person should join this protest. We cannot continue to be intimidated by people like Bayo Onanuga who should be behind bars for hate speech and ethnic incitement,” HURIWA said.
The group recalled that Onanuga’s ethnic tirade in 2023 was not an isolated incident, pointing to similar threats made by the Lagos transport union leader,, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, who warned non-Yoruba voters to stay away from polling units unless they were voting for the APC.
“MC Oluomo said, ‘If you no wan vote for APC, stay at home o!’; a clear call for voter suppression and ethnic violence,” HURIWA recalled. “That reckless statement was followed by brutal attacks in Lagos, including the case of Mrs. Idowu Owohunwa, who was stabbed and bloodied while trying to vote. Yet, no one was arrested or prosecuted.”
HURIWA argued that Onanuga, MC Oluomo, and others like them who made hate-filled comments before and during the 2023 elections are “far guiltier” than Nnamdi Kanu, whose words from abroad never directly led to election-day killings or assaults.
“The truth is that Onanuga and MC Oluomo are the real symbols of hate speech in Nigeria. They are worse than Nnamdi Kanu because their words caused bloodshed, while Kanu’s words were calls for justice,” HURIWA said.
The rights organisation condemned the apparent ethnic imbalance in the country’s justice system, where anti-Igbo bigots walk free and even hold federal appointments while the leader of a movement calling for equality is treated as a felon.
“If Nnamdi Kanu were a Yoruba man, he would not have been held for this long. The Nigerian justice system is skewed, weaponised, and openly biased against the Igbo people,” HURIWA said.
The Association called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to immediately investigate Onanuga for incitement and ethnic hate speech, stressing that his conduct poses a real threat to Nigeria’s unity.
“The government cannot continue to protect people like Onanuga who are capable of setting this country on fire. Before Tinubu rewarded him with an appointment, Onanuga made a statement worse than what Nnamdi Kanu ever said. Yet, he is in Aso Rock while Kanu is in chains. That is not justice,” HURIWA concluded.
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Religion

Pastor Monday Iwat charges A’Ibom Youths to embrace Godly conducts in their daily living for business growth and expansion

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Pastor Monday Iwat(left) and Pastor Mike Denigan, (right)


‎By Emmanuel Ikpe


‎The need for youths in Akwa Ibom to embrace Godly conducts and principles in their daily living has been stressed.

‎Honourable Pastor Monday Iwat gave the indication while speaking with journalists in Uyo after one of his missionary engagement with Pastor Mike Denigan, himself among other men of God.

‎Emphasizing that God principles embodied blessings that if embrace, it will trigger the needed blessings one need to meet the desire goal and expectations in life.

‎While wishing numerous Akwa Ibom youths a blessed new month of August 2026, the Uyo born Clergy, Politician and Architect prayed God to bring open doors to believers.
‎”May August bring you peace   open doors, divine  protection, and  testimonies. God’s favor will speak for you this month, Welcome to your month of blessings. Happy new month family and friends”, he added.


‎Pastor Monday disclosed that embracing God in everyday life is liken to drinking water or watering plants that is need of growth and enable the man and plants to bear abundance fruits and therefore causes expansion.
‎”This growth and expansion will not only be seen in your life but it will also be seen in your businesses, spiritually, financially and materially and this can be achieved when we put God first in our daily living and try to practice the principle of Godly living “, he stated.

‎Pastor Monday Iwat has learned the ropes and have dedicated himself to work of God in the Ministry of Jesus Christ and have tested the gospel and have proven that that God can do all things and make life meaningful with blessings that knows no bounds and therefore encouraged others to follow suit especially in this perilous times.

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Again, Governor Diri Tasks Bayelsans On Thanksgiving To Sustain God’s Glory.

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Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe (middle)

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again emphasized the need for people of state to make thanking God a way of life to continually attract and sustain divine glory in their lives and the state in general.

Governor Diri laid the emphasis on Sunday while speaking at the Mid-Year Thanksgiving Service of the Refined People’s Assembly at Opolo in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Bayelsa Chief Executive urged the people to thank God for His unseen mercies as well as answered and unanswered prayers, stressing that Almighty Creator alone knows the best for everyone in all situations.

Governor Diri expressed optimism that as Bayelsans continue to imbibe and practise thanksgiving, God’s glory upon the state will not only expand but also continue to rub off on Nigeria.

Dr Akpe, who performed the dual role of representing the governor as well as speaking as the guest preacher at the service, identified incredible multiplication, divine provisions and punishment for enemies as some of the benefits of thanksgiving.

Quoting copiously from the scriptures including Genesis Chapter 32:10 and Psalm 100:4 and making reference to the biblical Jacob, David, the ten lepers and Jesus Christ, the Deputy Governor enjoined Christians to always reflect on how the grace of God has led them in their life journey.

According to him, appreciating God by faith despite one’s current circumstances can serve as a divine access to sound health and promotion as well as an enabler to do exploits in one’s chosen career.

Governor Diri used the opportunity to appreciate the Christian community in the state, particularly the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly for their prayers, and urged them to sustain their works of faith.

His words: “On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, I want to thank God, your pastor and all of you for this privilege and for what you are doing for our state in terms of prayers.

“From the scriptures we have shared, I believe that the glory of God will not depart from you and our state. As you thank God, destinies will change for good. You will not be demoted to the realm of shame.

“Rather, you will move from one realm of glory to another. And as you are affected, so Bayelsa will be affected. And as Bayelsa is affected, so Nigeria will also be affected.

“As a child of God, I encourage you to thank God for His unseen mercies so that He will not withdraw it from you. Thank God for even unanswered prayers. And when you thank God, what happens?

“There is divine restoration, incredible multiplication and divine provisions. Secondly, there will be punishment for your enemies because God will arise and take over your battles as we can find in Jeremiah Chapter 30:19-20.”

Highpoint of the service was special thanksgiving by the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly led by its Founder and Senior Pastor, Dr Daddy-Ken Bitere.

The Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Belemote, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, among other government officials attended the mid-year thanksgiving service.

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Niger state Christian Stakeholders demand Equal representation in the formation of APC 2027 general election

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Comrade Jude Johnson flanked other stakeholders

By Uthman Baba–Naseer,Minna

Coalition of Concern Christian Stakeholders in Niger State has requested for fair and equal representation of christians in the formation of 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC in the state.

The group Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson stated this at a newsbriefing held in Minna, and Niger state capital, insisted on their demand for Christian deputy governor for the next general elections or opt for an alternative where their interest will be protected
The Coalition under the aegis of the Concerned Christian Stakeholders has urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and all major stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to facilitate the emergence of a Christian Deputy Governor for the 2027 Gubernatorial elections.
He revealed that they vehemently rejected the continuous Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket considering their contributions, dedication and population in the state.
“ We want to use this medium to notify his excellency that we have capable hands in Niger East (zoneB), Senatorial District,who have the prerequisite requirements and are dedicated members of APC.
“ Information at our disposal indicate that we have more of Christians in Zone B of the state,then why not give the body a fair treatment by picking a Deputy from amongst Christians” the Secretary asked.
According to him, Christians are over forty five percent (45%) in terms of population in Niger state, the ruling government has undermined and relegated Christians; in the just concluded Primaries of the APC, qualified and popular Christian politicians who Aspired to contest and be voted into various elective positions were compelled to drop their ambitions because of their religion.
Comrade Jude Johnson emphasized that having a Christian Deputy Governor in Niger state is not just about religion but it is important because of inclusive representation; justice, equity and fairness; strengthened Democracy and unity of purpose.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Coalition, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa insisted in an equal representation of christian in governance, adding that the group is on the same page with the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in Niger state in the agitation of Christian deputy governor.
Vatsa stated that allowing such marginalisation and deliberate segregation during the previous administration during the 2023 elections, they will not tolerate it this second term. Saying that same faith (Muslim-Muslim) ticket is insensitive to the state’s religious diversity.
He said, as a coalition, we declare that it is not politically, economically, educationally, or socially wise for us to accept another four years of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. This is a legitimate concern for equity, and no one can query our right to demand a seat at the table.

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