- VP receives endorsement, hopeful for Saturday
The presidential election coming up this weekend is an opportunity for Nigerians to endorse and validate the activities of the Buhari presidency, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo made the observation when members of the Northern Forum of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, announced the endorsement of the Buhari presidential ticket for Saturday’s Presidential Polls.
This endorsement was announced by the leadership of the forum at a Presidential Villa meeting last night where President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo said “we see the election as an opportunity for Nigerians to endorse and validate all we have done. We are very confident that the Almighty God has seen the honesty and integrity that Mr. President has brought to bear on the task, and that would be rewarded.”
In his remarks, Hon. Mohammed Ali, Chairman of ALGON Northern Forum, who led the delegation, disclosed that the association is impressed by the Buhari Administration’s commitment to the rule of law and the Federal Government’s support for Local governments in the country.
He said the endorsement of the group is borne out of the successful performance of the administration in the last three years.
“We will mobilize to support the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket, and you are going to win the election by the grace of God, “ Ali told the Vice President.
READ: Malami urges INEC to postpone election in Zamfara
Also speaking at the meeting, Hon Mohammed Abubakar, the Kaduna State ALGON Chairman reaffirmed the group’s support, saying “ your administration has recorded tremendous achievements in the areas of security, economic diversification among others.”
He recalled how the FG helped in settling backlogs of workers salary in several States and Local Government Areas of the country. He also cited the reduction in the price of Fertilizers and its ready availability to farmers.
The ALGON delegation then urged the Buhari Administration to continue to press for Local Government autonomy after it has won the second term elections.
Welcoming the delegation earlier, the Vice President expressed sincere gratitude to the ALGON group. According to him, “let me express our sincere gratitude for your commitment to the Federal Government and also to the President’s candidacy.”
![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")
