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Tag: favour

  • Unlocking the supernatural through favour!

    Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on Unlocking the Supernatural through Favour!

    From scriptures, we discover that we are in the latter days; the era of supernatural favour in the body of Christ. As a result, there shall be an unusual release of supernatural favour in the Church of Christ before Jesus returns (Psalm 102:13-15). Also, the Church will begin to possess the land and wherever the soles of our feet shall thread upon shall be given to us. It is written: We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them (Psalm 44:1-3; see also Haggai 2:3-9). Also, we understand that redemption is a product of favour. It is written: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Grace, which also means favour, is the heritage of the redeemed and everyone that is born again is listed among God’s beloved. As it is written: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6; see also 2 Corinthians 5:21). ‘Beloved’ here connotes ‘to be favoured or a favourite’. That means every child of God is God’s favourite on the earth. Thus, we have our roots in divine favour by redemption (Psalm 5:12). As a result, everything about our lives attracts favour.

    Furthermore, the ‘Church in the wilderness’ (the Israelites) was a highly favoured and struggle-free Church. The Bible records: This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us (Acts 7:38). During the 40-year sojourn of the Israelites in the wilderness, they experienced the tangibility of favour. They enjoyed Manna twice daily and the Bible says that: Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years (Deuteronomy 8:4). Even with this, there is nothing in the Old Testament that can be compared to what is available to us in the New Testament. If the Church in the wilderness was that favoured, how much more shall the Church of the Living God bought by the Blood of Jesus be favoured. Concerning the Israelites, God said: And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty (Exodus 3:21; see also Exodus 12:36). God is committed to giving His people favour and we are privileged to be His people by redemption. Hence, we are entitled to divine favour. Also, the Church in the upper room enjoyed favour. As it is written: Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:47). Favour was the identity of the first Church. That means the Church of Christ is ordained to swim in favour. Furthermore, Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, was robed with favour. The Bible says: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52). Jesus said: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world (John 17:18). Thus, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus. That means whatever pertains to Christ pertains to us in redemption (Romans 8:17).

    What, then, is in Favour that Unlocks the Supernatural?

    • Favour Terminates Tears: Favour turns our tears into testimonies. It is written: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled (Psalm 30:5-7). For instance, favour terminated the tears and grief of Ruth and placed her supernaturally in the lineage of Jesus Christ forever! Thus, it is favour in a man’s life that defines the quality of his life.
    • Favour is the Cure for Man’s Struggles: Joseph’s brothers sentenced him to a life of servitude and struggles but favour located him supernaturally from one level to another (Psalm 105:17-22). Thus, it is impossible to secure favour with God and not have favour with men.
    • Supernatural Enlargement: Grace is the covenant mother of greatness. It is grace that makes great, not skill or strength. Every giant in the Kingdom is made of favour. No one can be greater than the grace of God at work in his/her life and grace simply means divine favour. Apostle Paul said: But by the grace of God I am what I am… (1 Corinthians 15:10). It simply means that without grace, we are grounded. However, by the release of divine favour, greatness surges and enlargement is steered up (Isaiah 60:1-22).

    In summary, apart from the favour of salvation, every other favour we desire is at a cost. It is important to understand that God’s favour is real, but it is not free. This is because even the favour of salvation still demands that we repent and be baptised, so we can be saved and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That means there is what we must do to trigger favour. It is important to understand that favour is not a religious theory; it is a virtue with proofs. New birth is the first covenant step into a world of favour. Thereafter, we are listed among God’s beloved after the order of Joseph (Psalm 5:12). Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Walking in the Miraculous, Operating in the Supernatural, Releasing the Supernatural, Commanding the Supernatural and All you need to have all your needs met. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/;  Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

  • Do they know it’s Christmas?

    It is a yearly event that Christendom looks forward to not because it is a time to wine and dine; but  because of the significance of the Messiah’s  birth. Over 2000 years ago in the city of Bethlehem, Jesus was born in a manger. Yet, from that humble background, He rose to world acclaim. This is why His birthday is celebrated worldwide every year in remembrance of the life He lived in order to save mankind.

    Jesus lived and died for man to be saved. He did not come to the world for the righteous, according to the scripture. He came for sinners. This is why in His lifetime, He neither condemned nor judged people. He simply led all to the right path. At Christmas, the world remembers His coming with nostalgia because He came so that we may have life more abundant. He was an only begotten child who was sacrificed for the good of man.

    Man is expected to be Christlike, to live holy and see ourselves as our brother’s keeper. These are traits we are expected to exhibit every day, but more often than not, we do not. We live for ourselves not bothering about the other fellow. At Christmas, things change; we become kind and of good nature. We see the other man as our neighbour whose needs must be met whether or not he asks for our help.

    If only we could do half of the good we display at Christmas, our country will be a better place to live. It is at Christmas that we remember that our neighbour is hungry; it is at Christmas that we remember that  our neighbour’s children cannot go to school because of lack of financial wherewithal; it is at Christmas that we remember to be of good behaviour. Just because it is Christmas, we believe that we should act as saint and not be seen perpetrating evil. Oh. how I wished everyday is Christmas.

    Despite our penchant to do good during this season, there are some who are still not touched by this outpouring of love. We do not remember such people because they are far from our thoughts. It is not that we are not aware of their existence. We are aware of them, but we do not remember them. These are the people who have been lying in hospitals for years nursing injuries from which they may never recover except by divine intervention. I am talking, among others,  of the paraplegic who can neither move nor do anything for themselves.

    Many of them are in orthopaedic hospitals, lying down in one place because of their inability to use their limbs. We tend to forget these people at this season because it does not cross our minds to go look for them. We are only concerned with the needs of those in our immediate environment and do not cast our nets wide for the sick and elderly, who have been  abandoned in Old People’s Homes. The joy of Christmas should radiate in every corner of the universe and in every home, hospital and rehabilitation centre.

    Painfully in the homes of the missing Chibok girls this Christmas, this joy will be missing. It is not that these households do not want to celebrate, but circumstances beyond their control have robbed them of such celebration. In the rustic Chibok community in Borno State, over 200 families will not know the joy of the season. As I was pounding away on my desktop on Tuesday, something made me look up at the television and what i read on the screen pierced my heart.

    The Cable News Network (CNN) was running a promo of its interview with some of the missing Chibok girls’ parents. The girls were kidnapped from their school last April 15 and since then they have remained in captivity. For eight months, their parents have not heard from the girls  nor do they know where these  children are being kept. When the girls were snatched in April the world rose in condemnation of their abduction.

    The United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), among other powerful countries,  promised to assist Nigeria in getting back the girls. Nobody knows how far they have gone in making good their promises. Are they still interested in helping us get the girls? Is there any hope of getting all the girls back intact? How committed is the Federal Government to the rescue of the girls? It is sad that these girls will be spending their first Christmas away from home in captivity.

    I watched dejected  as two parents – a man and a woman – spoke of the trauma of a Christmas without their children. The man said : ”Every Christmas, we come together as a family and we are happy. How can we be happy now, when one of us is not here?”  The woman said : ”There is nothing I can say, it has happened. It is a bad Christmas”. If those in power were to be in these parents’ shoes, I am sure they would have spoken in like manner.

    How can any parent, no matter how heartless he or she may be, celebrate Christmas knowing that his or her daughter is in kidnappers’ den. The most heartrending of it all is that we do not even know if the girls are still with their abductors, sold into slavery or married off. For as long as these girls remain in captivity so long will their parents be pining away in anguish and sorrow, thinking of what would have been if their daughters were with them.

    These parents can no longer know the joy of Christmas. Their  homes were  once  bubbling at a season like this, with laughter ringing out from children, friends and relations. Painfully, this season, the reverse will be the case and it may be so for a long time, with the way the government is going about the rescue of the girls. How do you wish parents like this, Merry Christmas. That’s a tough call.

    Favour seekers

    The Quran and Bible enjoin us to be cheerful givers.  These  holy books also tell us that whatever good we do with our right hand should not be known to the left. Many people, however, find it difficult to live up to these injunctions. Some give to show off or to curry the favour of those in power. For others, their giving is pay back time for favour once done them. They do not give to attract the blessing of God, they give for political and other reasons. Last Saturday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a fund raising for its presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and some individuals and institutions virtually broke the bank in order to be seen donating towards ”a worthy cause”.  In a society where many are dying of hunger; where there are no good roads; where the hospitals are ”mere consulting clinics”; where power is unstable, N21.7billion was raised within the twinkling of an eye. The donors did not give because they love the president, they gave in order to be in his good book and to be the first to be considered for those juicy contracts when the  time comes. You do not give a sitting president a billion naira or more for nothing; you are saving towards the rainy day when your donation will speak for you. Is that a cheerful giver? No, that is a favour seeker.

  • Etisalat Nigerian Idol: Voters favour Antwon for the first time

    Etisalat Nigerian Idol: Voters favour Antwon for the first time

    Most of the time in the ongoing Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol show, judges have been upset with the decision of the public, who are perceived to be voting for contestants on sentiment.

    Some of the candidates who made it to the Top 12 did not seem to satisfy the judges.

    The three-man panel comprising R ‘n’B singer, Darey Art-Alade, Germany-based Nigerian soul singer Nneka Egbuna and Dede Mabiaku, expressed disappointment, saying the best candidates had always got the least number of votes.

    But the case was different last night when, for the first time, the most “unlucky” candidate, Antwon, made it to the Top 6 category through the public vote.

    Antwon was among the three who were saved by the judges through their Wild Card during the Top 12 stage. He was also the candidate who was rescued a second time with the judge’s only lifeline, before making it into the Top 8.

    There was palpable silence in the studio as show anchor and On-Air Personality, IllRymz, was about to announce the voting result. The result had Evelle, Antwon, Lisa and Jezzy Rae at the bottom 4.

    Hope was, however, raised when IllRymz asked Evelle to join Eye-D, Beebee Bassey, Xolani and Elvis Jay at the winners’ corner. But with one more winner to go, it was obvious the world stood still for Antwon. Therefore, when his name was announced, everyone, including the judges, jumped for joy. Consequently, Jessie Raey and Lisa were evicted from the show.

    For Lisa, Dede said: “We talked and I noticed the improvement in the things I said to you. If, at your age, you are able to attain this level; and if, at your age, you are able to gain this measure of maturity, there is a lot yet to come from you. So, I want you now to see yourself as a victor and not as one who is vanquished.”

    To Jezzy Rae, he said: “Believe in the ability you hold. It is time for you to start your work. The Journey begins now.”

    Darey also consoled the evictees with words of encouragement. According to him, “This is now the point where we know what you are really made of. The game is over in terms of Idol, but the reality starts now. Let’s see what you have learnt here. Take it and merge it with whatever you have: your spirit, your verve and your music. Create your sound and go forth and multiply.”

    In parting, Lisa said without the usual tears: “I want to say thank you to everyone that voted for me. The judges really helped me to get to this stage. To my fellow contestants, I say I love you all.”

    Jezzy Rae too did not betray his emotion when he said: “Since I’ve gotten this far, I know the journey has just started for me, and I know the journey will be beautiful.”

    The show continues, with six contestants battling to make it to the next stage and win the ultimate prize of N7.5 million, an Android Tab, a Blackberry, an iPod and a brand new SUV car.

    Also, the first runner-up gets N1.5 million, an Android Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod, while the 2nd runner-up will receive N1million, an Android Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod.

    Organisers said each of the finalists from the 4th to 10th place would also receive a cash prize of N100, 000, an Android Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod.

    To vote for the contestant who will remain in the competition, viewers are expected to dial the number of their favourite contestant on an Etisalat line or send the contestant’s number to 33680 via SMS.

  • Court rules in favour of Leadership reporters

    Justice Usman Musale of the Abuja High Court, Kubwa yesterday elected to hear an application seeking to stay proceedings in the case filed by the Federal Government against two journalists.

    Ruling yesterday, the judge upheld argument by defence lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) on the need to hear the application for stay of proceedings in the trial of the two journalists with the Abuja-based Leadership – brought against its Group News Editor, Tony Amokeodo and Correspondent, Chibuzo Ukaibe – before taking further steps in the case.

    Justice Musale, who fixed July 23 for the hearing of the application for stay, ordered the prosecution to file its counter response to the defence’s application before the next date.

    The judge said: “The application, having been filed and served on the prosecutor -Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who has since indicated his interest to oppose the application, he should be given that right to oppose”.

    The judge held that denying the prosecution the right to oppose the application would amount to a breach of fair hearing as envisaged by the constitution.

    “The breach of right to fair hearing occurs when opportunity is denied to a party in court. For that reason, the motion is not ripe for hearing as the prosecution ought to be given time to respond to it. In the circumstance, time will be giving for the motion to be heard on the merit. The motion shall be moved on July 23.”

    Justice Musale had on July 15 summoned President Goodluck Jonathan through the Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja.

    The subpoena requires the President to appear before the court “from day to day until the cause is tried, to give evidence on behalf of the accused persons and also to bring with you and produce at the time and aforesaid the purportedly forged document titled ‘presidential directive’ having on it the seal of the office of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria published on the front page of Leadership newspaper of 3rd day of April, 2013.”

  • At last, Favour goes to school

    At last, Favour goes to school

    Favour Njoku, the two-year-old orphan who faced a bleak future since his father disappeared into thin air at the peak of a cancer-related ailment that eventually killed his mother, has started a new life. He is now in school.

    His plight became public knowledge through The Nation on March 20 and again, on April 8. His jobless maternal uncle, Mr Ambrose Njoku, who brought Favour’s late mother to Lagos for treatment, was the one who cried out to kind-hearted Nigerians for help, as the boy insisted on going to school.

    Following The Nation’s publications, public-spirited Nigerians started sending in their “widow’s mite,” after a plethora of sympathy calls and messages. Some called to know the helpless lad’s condition; many others simply offered prayers for him.

    A kind Nigerian who pleaded not be mentioned offered to bankroll Favour’s education up to secondary school level. Another would like to adopt him. The gestures were endless.

    Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, in conjunction with his guardians, opened an account: “Master Favour Njoku Trust Fund” with the Sterling Bank Plc, Matori, Lagos, number, 0019623543. Within days, about N240.000 was paid in, out of which N100.00 was withdrawn to enroll Favour in Cedec International Schools, a private school located at Olodi-Apapa, Lagos.

    The details of the deposits by kind Nigerians as obtained from the bank last week showed that Bridget Oguike, Muhammed G.M and another person, who simply gave his name as CD Self, sent in N5,000 each. Also, Aku Ignatius Uzoma, Adaord Okeke and Jegede Olukayode sent in N10.000 each. A commissioner in the Fashola administration, who sought anonymity, deposited N200.000 in the account.

    Last week, The Nation visited Favour’s school to know how he was coping with his new situation. The school’s Assistant Head-teacher, Mrs Nnenna Ufere, told our reporter that the boy acclimatised in no time the first day in the school. He was in high spirits.

    “I saw him the day they brought him,” Mrs Ufere said, adding: “Right from the first day, he started adapting to the system. He mingled freely with his colleagues. In fact, he is a nice and gentle boy. He copes very well. He does not in any way behave like a new pupil.”

    “Academically, he is catching up fast,” added Favour’s class teacher, Mrs Margaret Onyenwe, who believes Favour is also showing some signs of his readiness to learn.”

    She added: “He holds the pencil very well and also writes well. He knows a lot of things that you will even be wondering how he got to know them as an upstart.”

    Asked whether the boy cried when the “parents” were leaving on the first day, she said he was not moved. “He was just happy, being in the school uniform and seeing some others pupils too,” she said.”

    Beyond that, Favour’s uncle, who lives with his wife and four kids at 3, Braimoh Street, Olodi-Apapa, is still out of job. Even their home is not befitting of a piggery. Once a commercial motorcyclist (okada rider), Njoku is now jobless, following the new Lagos Traffic Law that took the bike from him. His wife, Deborah, is into petty trading which can hardly sustain the family, including Favour. The family, Njoku said, needs a decent living and perhaps some money to start a little business.

    But most importantly, family is still appealing to Nigerians, government and humanitarian organisations to contribute to the boy’s future.

    “We ceaselessly pray for those that have made it possible to send this boy to school despite the harsh economic reality in the country. It is a great relief and we believe other Nigerians out there will share in our bid to give him a solid future,” Njoku said yesterday.

  • Will 2013 favour the jobless?

    Will 2013 favour the jobless?

    What does 2013 have in store? Nobody knows, but the prayer is that it will be a good year. The unemployed, especially, are looking forward to a prosperous 2013. To analysts only a review of ‘anti-people’policies by the government will bring succour to the people.DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU reports.

     

    Are you a Nigerian, born in a state other than your parents’state of  origin? You were educated and even secured a job in the state of your birth. You have risen through the ranks and appreciating God for his blessings. Suddenly, a circular addressed to you by the government shattered your self-confidence and threw you into the labour market. You have been sacked because your parents hailed from a state other than where you were born and raised.

    This scenario is not an assumption. It is happening in many states at a time jobs are hard to come by, and this has generated a lot of concern among workers and government.

    Besides, Nigerians are appealing to governors to find a means of creating more jobs in the New Year, since gainful employment of the youth will lure them away from committing crimes.

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is also appealing to households to cooperate with its enumerators to collect information that will guide the government in creating jobs in the country.

    Supervisor of an Enumeration Team, Mr Muhammed Muritala, said the call became imperative because the level of statistical awareness in the country was low.

    State Officer, NBS, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Oladokun Akinola, said its field workers have started collecting data on job creation.

    He said: “The purpose of the survey, which covers households, private establishments, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) across the country, is to assist the Federal Government to track jobs created and provide information on the kind of jobs people want.

    “It would also help the government to monitor and evaluate its programmes and policies toward job creation.”

    According to him, three modules would be used to collect the data.

    “The first is to know the households in each Enumeration Area (EA) and select 17 households to administer questionnaires on.

    “The second is to administer questionnaires on some selected private establishments and institutions. The third is to collect data from the MDAs.”

    Akinola said the field workers were to identify 60 EAs in each of the 36 states and the FCT and interview 17 selected households in each EA.

    Many Nigerians, however, condemn discrimination by some state governments, against their fellow countrymen, relieving them of their jobs on the excuse of being non-indigenes of their states.

    Some also mentioned the case of Abia, where non-indigenes were sacked last year, during the agitation for new minimum wage.The fear is that more state governments might want to emulate Abia.

    But the Delta State government has said it will make job creation a priority next year to lure youths of the state away from crime, especially kidnapping.

    The Abia crisis started with the agitation for the payment of N18,000 minimum wage. The government decided to send non-indigenes back to their states to enable them to afford the new wage.

    An Abian, Douglas Adiele,who is the General Secretary, National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), condemned sacking.

    “The rationalisation of workers, who hailed from other states apart fromAbia, is unacceptable. No amount of rationalisation can justify that action. It does not promote national unity. The law must be reversed. It is condemnable. Other states must not do it.”

    The state, however, said that was the only way it could go, to enable it to pay the new wage.

    In a statement, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), enjoined Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, to reinstate non-indigenes in the state public service, sacked by his government.

    In a letter with reference number ASCSN/Abia/Vol.IV/672, signed by its Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, and sent to the Abia State government, the Union regretted that the state government refused to re-absorb the sacked employees, including Abian women indigenes married to “outsiders” despite pleas by religious leaders, royal fathers, human rights organisations and other eminent Nigerians.

    “Can we really say in all honesty that if all the other 35 governors were to follow the footsteps of the Abia State Government on this policy, it would promote the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerian citizens?” the union asked.

    The argument being presented by the aides of the governor, was that the Southeastern states do not receive much from the Federation Account compared to other states, but if mismanagement, misappropriation, corruption, irrelevant trips, over-bloated aides are checked, there will be enough to pay the minimum wage and still develop infrastructure in the states.

    Lawal recalled that Abia State indigenes abound in other state public services, and cited the example of Lagos State where a Southeasterner was serving second term as the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget.

    He appealed to the state government to change the policy.

    ASCSN noted that most metropolitan cities were built by people from diverse backgrounds and cultures who converged on such places to create great civilisations. It, therefore, urged the Abia State government to allow Nigerians, including foreigners, who wish to contribute to the development of the state to do so without hindrance.

    President, National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), Comrade Lateef Oyelekan, urged the Federal Government to ensure regular power supply in the new year to save jobs because many firms are contemplating relocating from Nigeria due to power outages, which has caused them to spend much money on diesel.

    He enjoined the government to help wage war against the infiltration of smuggled goods, which has been preventing the sales of locally manufactured products, to save jobs.

    Oyelekan condemned the discrimination against workers by some states, claiming they were not indigenes of the state. He urged other state government to borrow a leaf from Lagos, where most of the workers are from neighbouring states. He also wants re-investment of subsidy fund to cover job creation.

    Similarly, the Kebbi Government said it would use the Petroleum Subsidy Re-investment Fund to create 3,000 jobs. Alhaji Samaila Halliru, the Fund Committee Chairman quoted the state government as saying degree and diploma holders would be trained to set up their businesses.

    Halliru said the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) would hold training and that each participant would be paid N10,000 as training allowance.

    Creation of jobs is believed to be the way out of the country’s rising insecurity problem. National Chairman, Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Mr Maxi Okwu, called on the Federal Government to create more enabling environment for the private sector to create jobs.

    He advised the government to invest more on construction, among others, to create room for many youths to be employed.

    Okwu said apart from reducing unemployment drastically, such investments would also boost the nation’s economy.

    “With the government’s intervention to energise the private sector, more funds will be available for the business community to embark on economic activities that will create jobs, especially for the youths,” he said.

    On security, the CPP boss urged the government to rise up to the challenge by embarking applying on a comprehensive modern security measures.

     

  • ‘Performance ‘ll swing poll in our favour’

    An opinion poll has shown that the Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN’s) candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), will win Saturday’s election because of his performances in the positions he has held.

    The poll, which was released yesterday, was conducted by Nigeria Gallop Poll Watch (NGPW) in association with Track Pool Ltd. UK between August 13 and October 4.

    The prevailing factors that will decide the winner of the poll, after an analysis of the respondents’ voting pattern, showed that 30 per cent electorate will vote for “performance both in and outside government,” while 20 per cent will vote for “candidate’s personality.”

    Other factors listed in the voting pattern included party loyalty (18 %), candidate manifesto and programmes (17%), external influence (8%) and ethnic consideration (3%).

    The result showed that 40.28 per cent of the 5,000 respondents sampled across the 18 local governments want the ACN candidate as their next governor, mainly because of his track record and personality.

    Akeredolu is the only Nigerian to have held the position of the Nigeria Bar Association president for two consecutive tenure, during which the Bar flourished as a credible defender of democracy and human rights.

    The result ranked the Labour Party’s candidate, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, second with 24.84 per cent and the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, ranked third with 22.84 percent.

    The sampling comprised a balanced mix of respondents from the three senatorial districts in the state, with the central, south, and north senatorial districts having 43.2, 30.6 and 26.2 percentage representation.

    The respondents comprised 250 senior citizens, 400 academicians and 4,350 residents of different wards.