Nasarawa state residents on Monday commenced a seven-day joint prayer session for a peaceful and God-fearing judgment in Nasarawa State ahead of the Appeal Court governorship election judgment.
Residents of the state stated the prayer session assures that the mandate granted to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, David Emmanuel Ombugadu, is delivered peacefully and with the fear of God.
The prayer session, which drew participants from across the Muslim, Christian, and other worshippers, commenced Monday with a joint prayer, irrespective of religious belief, said to be conducted to draw the hand of God closer to the judges and protect them from any evil affluence.
Ustars Suleiman Abdullahi, a resident, argued that Allah is a listening being, Almighty and Creator of the Universe, who does not discriminate or fail in his promises, therefore the move to change the wants of the people against the overwhelming mandate given to those who they want.
“We genuinely gave our mandate to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate on March 18 for a positive change in Nasarawa State, and a few people are trying to steal our mandate. We will continue to pray to Allah, who will listen to our supplications and do his will in Nasarawa State.”
Rev. Emmanuel Bako, on his part, stated that they will continue to seek the face of God via prayer, emphasizing that prayer is the key and that God Almighty is the provider of power, stating that “who is that man to say a thing when God has not spoken.”
“Our God Almighty is always ahead of every principality. The will of God shall prevail and put to shame those insisting on taking the people’s mandate given to David Emmanuel Ombugadu in Nasarawa.
“The axe of God is waiting for anyone challenging the power and the will of God in this case, for it is said in the Book of Isaiah 58:11 that the Lord will guide his people, satisfy their desires, and make their bones strong. They shall be like a watered garden, like spring water, whose work does not fail.”
Some participants who spoke on the condition of anonymity in Lafia, the state capital, revealed that over 95% of the residents, including Christians, Muslims, and other religious worshippers, are seeking God’s presence even in their private places to ensure that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate wins the March 18 governorship election in the state.
While expressing hope that the mandate actually provides for a good development in Nasarawa, the Appeal Court will deliver in the interests of justice, equity, and fair play.
It should be noted that the governorship election appeals court has reserved judgment in the case filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Eng. Abdullahi Sule, challenging the tribunal’s declaration of Emmanuel Ombugadu as the duly elected governor in the March 18 election in Nasarawa state.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
