NIGERIA VOTES

2023 presidency: I stand by what God told me despite bashing - Pastor Adefarasin

Paul Adefarasin

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

21st February, 2023

Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor, House on the Rock, on Tuesday said he stood by what God told him on the parable of ‘Saul and David’ in Nigeria’s presidential election.

Adefarasin had during a sermon at the weekend, while speaking on the forthcoming presidential election, in his church, gave a parable of Saul and David in the Bible and how that Saul came first before David.

Many supporters of Peter Obi took Adefarasin’s parable to mean that he is supporting the APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to win the election.

They tore him apart and called him unprintable names.

But the popular cleric who did not come out openly to endorse any presidential candidate in series of tweets on Tuesday said he stood by what God told him.

“Friends, you have kept me busy with your tweets, posts, and comments. Though many are harsh, I appreciate your feedback and I still want to take a minute to share my stance with you again, in the hope that you may gain a clearer understanding.

As with all of you, I identify as a Nigerian and a patriot, so undoubtedly, I share in your pain. Living in Nigeria, I share the desire for a working country and that is why we all consider this election critical in our collective quest for a New Nigeria,” he said.

According to Adefarasin, “I really believe that it will happen, and I wish that you could see what I see – the hope that the parable of Saul and David brings – the after-victory. I understand that there are varying interpretations of the parable of Saul & David, and that is fine.

“However, remember that the giver of the parable is the One that can give meaning to it. God gave me that parable and even as I released it, I have continued to search for it’s applicable meaning to the present Nigerian circumstances.

“I feel blessed to have your ear, however, I will ask that you listen deeply for understanding, so that you do not miss the message.

“Saul, instead of trusting in God, tried to manipulate things and even discountenanced his mentor, Samuel. David on the other hand stumbled, but never stuttered, he was delayed but not too late.

“So, whether Saul represents our past or our present, only God knows. Whether David represents the future or now, I can’t tell. In any case, the ‘wise’ will wait for the election period to play itself out, before concluding or judging the messenger.”

Adefarasin added: “Finally, kindly remember that I shepherd people of all parties, and if that parable was taken in offense, my intention was not to offend you.

“However, I stand by what I heard God say to me: that Saul came before David. This means that even if this election does not go the way that you want it to go, don’t be disappointed.

“Every election will produce some disappointment for the camps of the candidates who lose. God’s will shall still come to pass in Nigeria. It will happen and His ‘David’ will rise to the role. We will get there. Remember, we are all in this together.

“If you have your PVC, it is a token of your faith in a New Nigeria. Go out and vote as your convictions lead you, and watch God Almighty do what only He can do.” 

 LINK: https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2023/02/21/2023-presidency-i-stand-by-what-god-told-me-despite-bashing-pastor-adefarasin/

 

LOOKING TO GOD

Presidential election: Please don’t punish us again – Apostle Suleman begs God

Published on February 23, 2023

By Ochogwu Sunday

Less than forty-eight hours to the most anticipated presidential election, the founder and General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleman has begged God for a better leader.

The famous pastor who recently declared that himself and his family members would be casting their ballots for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stated this in a tweet on his official handle.

He begged God to have mercy on the country and not punish the citizens for a second time.

He wrote, “God have mercy on us. Plsss lord..(Hab 3.2) Don’t punish us again with another bad leader.. Plssss have mercy.. Oh God,we take God beg you”.

Suleman and other men of God who were against President Muhammadu Buhari’s candidacy in 2015 had claimed that God allowed the current administration with the aim of punishing the citizens.

LINK:  https://dailypost.ng/2023/02/23/presidential-election-please-dont-punish-us-again-apostle-suleman-begs-god/

DAILY POST

MAN OF GOD

News

February 22, 2023

Following God has brought me this far-Nelson Iheagwam

The Lead of Nelson Iheagwam Ministries, Nelson Iheagwam has averred that following God passionately has brought him thus far. Iheagwam who also doubles as a pastor and gospel artiste said:”I have always known I was called. I always knew ministry is what God will have me do with my life. it’s just an inner knowing; the Holy Ghost bearing witness to what’s true about you from eternity. But a turning point was in December 2020, I woke up to pray and while praying I heard the Lord say “men saved, men trained, men sent” loudly in my spirit and that’s what birthed and drives Nelson Iheagwam Ministries and other expressions to come.I will say what has brought me this far is following God. Listening to God when He says go.In the midst of fear, uncertainties, confusion and what not; the voice of God has been a sure compass and anchor. It has steadied me, led me and helped me”.

The visionary leader also urge youths to stay away from scams and illicit activities.

“As someone who leads young people, I would advise as I usually would; Youth isn’t a time for foolishness, it isn’t a time to indulge all your passions, it’s a time to follow hard after God and make investments into your tomorrow. Any young person involved in scheming and scamming isn’t really setting the best foundations for their tomorrow.Youth is a time to set foundations and that’s what I help those who follow me to do”.

Shedding light on why his ministry’s forthcoming programme, ‘Supernatural Class’ is critical, he said:”

“At Supernatural Class we don’t just see men get things from Jesus. We see men receive the heart and the burden of the father. If men burn brighter for Jesus or have more of Jesus seen, we will have a better society. So at Supernatural Class, we don’t just see men get miracles, we see men become miracles and I mean lives radically changed for the better to look more like Jesus, So do we need more events like this? A loud yes”.

LINK:  https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/02/following-god-has-brought-me-this-far-nelson-iheagwam/

VANGUARD NEWS

PUTIN ATTACKS WESTERN MORALITY

Gender-neutral God, same-sex marriages: Putin turns moral police for West

In his state of the nation address before the Federal Assembly, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West for not just the Ukraine war but also for destroying Catholic and family values

India Today Web Desk

 

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 21, 2023 17:21 IST

Vladimir Putin addressed the Federal Assembly on Tuesday. (Photo: Screengrab/RT)

By India Today Web Desk: A day after US President Joe Biden's surprise visit to Ukraine, Russian premier Vladimir Putin launched a frontal attack on the West, accusing it of not only "unleashing the war" but also for the degradation of Catholic and family values.

In his state of the nation address before the Federal Assembly on Tuesday, Putin said, "The Church of England is considering a version of a 'gender-neutral' God. They don’t know what they’re doing."

Recently, the Church of England said that it was considering how to refer to God without assigning a gender. However, there are no plans to abolish current services yet.

Putin also spoke about the approval of same-sex marriages in the West. "The family union is between a man and a woman," Putin said.

"They're destroying the institution of family. Their cultural-historical identity, and various perversions with regards to children. Priests are forced to recognize and officiate same-sex weddings. The family is a union between woman and man," Putin said.

LINK:  https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/putin-russia-west-same-sex-marriage-gender-neutral-god-2337657-2023-02-21

ADDITIONAL MEASURES AGAINST CRIME

20 Feb

Panyaza Lesufi's plan to save Gauteng citizens from 'criminals that play God with our lives' 

 

 

Zintle Mahlati 

 

Panyaza Lesufi.

Gallo Images/Papi Morake

• Panyaza Lesufi gave his first State of the Province Address. 
• Lesufi said criminals were acting as "God" by holding residents of Gauteng hostage. 
• He explained how his administration would fight against crime. 

---

Talking tough on crime, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi wants guns registered for use in the province to be monitored via tracking devices. 

Lesufi unveiled plans for vehicle licence registrations to be fitted with high-tech security features, making it hard for criminals to duplicate. 

On Monday, he revealed a list of priorities, which he said needed to be tackled to save the citizens of Gauteng from "criminals that play God with our lives'".  

Lesufi was giving his first State of the Province Address.

He was sworn in as premier in 2022 following the resignation of his predecessor, David Makhura.  

He has about a year left in his short term before the 2024 national elections, which are predicted to be tough for the ANC.  

Lesufi has long decried the state of crime in Gauteng and how residents are being held hostage by criminals.  

His speech on Monday spoke to this concern, with the bulk of its introduction littered with promises to Gauteng's citizens that safety would return. 

READ | Gauteng premier moots tighter gun control after AKA, Motsoane murders

Lesufi said that, to tackle crime, his administration would be spending over R700 million in the next few months on several projects.  

He said about 400 new cars would be handed to the province's law enforcement agencies, while 180 drones would be added to fight crime in areas unreachable by the police.

To loud applause from the ANC caucus at Johannesburg City Hall, Lesufi said another plan was to issue "electronic panic buttons" to citizens, which they could use to alert SAPS when a crime occurred. 

The ANC Gauteng provincial leader said the devices would be linked to police control centres in each community.  

Lesufi also made other bold promises in his speech. 

READ | Lesufi’s ambitious plan to tackle crime

He said to tackle crime further, the provincial government would change legislation to allow additional features to be added to registered licence plates.

This feature would make it harder for criminals to duplicate licence plates.

Lesufi said guns registered in Gauteng would be fitted with tracking devices.

He said every gun used illegally was once legal, and no weapon in Gauteng should roam the streets untracked.  

"Our province is home to heartless criminals who do as they wish. Our situation is out of control," Lesufi said.

NATION IN PRAYER

Our country is in bad state, only God can help us - Raila

He called out Ruto, his DP for pretending to be praying for the country every Sunday.

In Summary

• He thanked the clergy who had come to pray with them
• Raila spoke during the Azimio prayer rally at the Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi, on Wednesday.

Azimio principals led by Raila Odinga at Jevanjee garden during the National Prayer Day
Image: ENOS TECHE

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga now says that the country under President William Ruto’s leadership is in a bad state.

According to Raila, only God can help Kenyans.

“Today is our prayer day. We agreed as Azimio that we set aside a day to meet Kenyans for prayers and to talk to God. Our country is in a bad state and that is why we are saying only God can help us,” he said.

“I want, on behalf of my fellow leaders here, to thank the clergy who have come to pray for us.”

The former Prime Minister called out President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua for pretending to be holding prayer rallies, yet they continue to do 'bad things'. 

"Every Sunday they go to church pretending to be praying but they do a lot of evil after that," he said.

Raila spoke during the Azimio prayer rally at the Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi, on Wednesday.

LINK:  https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-02-22-our-country-is-in-bad-state-only-god-can-help-us-raila/

 

 

CALLING ON GOD

Naira, Fuel Scarcity: Remain Calm, Keep Faith in God, Cleric Appeals to Nigerians

Nigeria | 8 hours ago

 

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The National Amir and Spiritual Leader of Daaru-r-Rahmat  (DARMAT) Islamic Society of Nigeria, Imaam Muali Musbahudeen Olawale, has appealed to Nigerians to continue  to remain calm and keep faith in God view of the current situation in the country.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, at the weekend, following protests that greeted some parts of the country over shortage of new naira notes and fuel scarcity, Olawale said, “though the situation was worrisome and sympathetic, but this is our country and we should avoid anything that may lead to the breaking of law and order.”

He said: “It is disheartening to note that the current situation came at the time the country is still facing economic challenges and this present situation has compounded the sufferings of the masses.
“The ugly development has caused a lot of havoc in the life of the wellbeing of the people to the extent that, meeting ends meet at this period is really unbearable.

“Many household and families have been put into serious sufferings despite the fact that they could not pay the children schools fees talk less of meeting the families’ obligations.”
Olawale added, “The current situation in our dear country has created lots of confusion, hitch, havoc, destruction of life and properties with unrest here and there.

“No doubt, everyone is under pressure and frustration just because everything is muddled. As a patriot and responsible citizen, let us keep our faith firm and always be patient while addressing an issue in the society.
“Avoid been provoked by any one because this could lead to high blood pressure and sudden attacks.
“We should love one another and praying for our leaders to get it right.”

He noted that, “The instruments of our encyclopedia (Qur’an) takes good care of everything in all our affairs as best mankind on the earth that says and very soon will your Lord give you so that you shall be well pleased (Q93:5).

“Let us believe that Allah (SWT) will surely avert all our challenges as a nation very soon.
“I’m very sure we all aware of earthquake in Turkey that claimed life of thousands people and other problem in Syria.”
Olawale, therefore prayed that, “May Allah (SWT) deliver all of us from these unbearable challenges.”

LINK:  https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/02/20/naira-fuel-scarcity-remain-calm-keep-faith-in-god-cleric-appeals-to-nigerians/\

THIS DAY