Category: Daily Trust

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has explained that his decision to leave the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is in the best interest of the State.

Speaking during the 14th annual Bayelsa State Thanksgiving on Sunday at Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene, Yenagoa, Governor Diri described politics as an avenue for service and contribution to societal development.

Diri, who is expected to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, said the people of Bayelsa have every reason to thank God for the prevailing peace and security in the state.

The governor emphasised the need for unity, urging politicians to shun bitter politics of division and instead, work together to develop the state and the nation. He said, ‘Some of you may not know now but with time, you will come and thank me. Somebody must take the decision and it’s incumbent on me to take that decision, and I have taken it, for the interest of the state of Bayelsa.’

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, reminded politicians to weigh the consequences before taking decisions, stating that the Governor’s alignment to the centre was for the good of the state.

The Minister warned against disloyalty to the Governor, in what appeared to be veiled jab at the Deputy Governor, who has chosen to remain in the PDP.

On her part, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, said Bayelsa had every reason to thank God for His blessings upon the State.

In his sermon, Founder of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, quoting from Psalm 100, verses 1 to 5, stressed the importance of Thanksgiving to God.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been concluded for Governor Douye Diri’s formal defection to the APC on Monday, with a grand reception scheduled to hold at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Following the judgement of the Federal High Court that cancelled the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention, a former presidential candidate and chieftain of the party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under grave threat.

Gbenga Hashim, a presidential hopeful for the 2027 general elections, also noted that the coordinated effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to cripple opposition politics and impose a one-party civilian dictatorship would be resisted.

Hashim, in a statement issued from Doha, Qatar, where he is attending the Covenant Altar of Worship Ministry’s First Worship Convention, condemned the Abuja Federal High Court ruling that halted the PDP National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 2025, in Ibadan.

He described the court’s decision as part of a wider strategy to neutralise the PDP and ‘weaponise the judiciary against multiparty democracy. ‘What happened in court is not an isolated incident. It is a carefully choreographed plot to paralyse the opposition and entrench authoritarian rule,’ he said.

Hashim also decried reports that former Jigawa State Governor and PDP founding member, Alhaji Sule Lamido, was blocked from purchasing the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman, calling it a blatant assault on internal party democracy.

He accused ‘fifth columnists’ within the PDP of collaborating, ‘wittingly or unwittingly,’ with forces loyal to the APC to frustrate ongoing reform efforts in the party.

‘It is now clear that both external pressures and internal sabotage are being deployed to stop the rebirth of the PDP as a credible alternative and defender of democratic values,’ he asserted.

Despite the setbacks, Hashim vowed that committed party loyalists would not allow opposition politics to be extinguished in Nigeria.

‘Those celebrating the creeping civilian dictatorship should pause,’ he said. ‘The true soldiers of democracy are still standing. We will resist every attempt to kill opposition and destroy pluralism in this country.’

He disclosed plans to resume high-level consultations with key party stakeholders on his return to Nigeria, with the aim of rallying ‘genuine leaders and men and women of conscience’ to safeguard democratic freedom.

‘The darkest hour, they say, comes before dawn. A new day will break for Nigeria’s democracy,’ Hashim assured.

He called on members to remain resolute. ‘We call on party members not to despair and not to faint,’ Hashim said.

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Presidential Candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the last general election, has reacted to the threat of US President, Donald Trump, to Nigeria over alleged genocide.

Ever since Nigeria publicly supported two-state solution to the Middle East crisis and spoke against killings in Gaza, there has been a campaign of alleged genocide against the country.

But the situation reached its height, on Friday, when President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

The US government under Trump had first designated Nigeria a country of particular concern in 2020.

Responding to Trump’s latest action, President Bola Tinubu had said religious persecution has no place in the country, adding that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees protection of citizens regardless of faith. But not convinced, Trump threatened military action against Nigeria, accusing the Federal Government of turning blind eyes to the ‘killing of Christians’.

The American leader also directed the Department of War to prepare for possible action in Nigeria.

Responding in a statement on Sunday, Kwankwaso said Nigeria is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws.

He said insecurity does not distinguish between Christians or Muslims, adding that the US ought to assist Nigeria to tackle widespread security issues.

‘I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern.’

‘It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs.

The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country.

‘The Nigerian government should also consider appointing special envoys from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government. Additionally, it is necessary to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage.

‘To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria.’

Governor Uba Sani has said that his leadership style which is rooted in inclusivity, fairness and justice, as well as infrastructural development across board, has attracted decampees to the All Progressives Congress(APC).

The Governor recalled that the opposition had 12 members in the House of Representatives as at May 29, 2023 while the ruling party had just four legislators at the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

”But in the last two and half years, 10 of the House of Representatives members have decamped from the opposition parties to APC. PDP had 12 members in the state House of Assembly but today, seven have decamped to APC. That is a sign that we are running an inclusive government,” he argued.

Governor Uba Sani noted that ” Kaduna State is now one big happy family under the canopy of APC. I am also calling on those who are yet to come on board, to cross over to our party.” He made this known at Kafanchan township stadium, where Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, the senator representing Southern Kaduna and three other legislators defected to APC at a mega rally on Saturday.

Other lawmakers who defected include Hon Dan Amos, a House of Representatives member representing Jema’a/Sanga federal Constituency, Hon Ali Kalat, State Assembly member from Jema’a constituency and Hon Yusuf Mugu, a House of Assembly member from Kaura constituency as well as thousands of their supporters.

With the latest defections, Southern Kaduna which used to be a political enclave of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) since 1999, has transformed to an APC haven, as all elected members are now in the ruling party.

Speaking at the event, Governor Uba Sani said ”what is happening today clearly demonstrates the kind of government we have been running in our state.

”When we came on board, precisely on May 29, 2023, we made it clear to everyone that we took a solemn oath to be fair to all, to run an inclusive government, and to ensure that we treat everyone equitably, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic affiliations.

” We also made it clear to everyone, that whether you voted for us or not, we will take development to every part of Kaduna State,” he recalled.

Governor Uba Sani further said that ”I am happy to say that there is no local government in Kaduna state that is not benefiting from our transformation efforts, in terms of infrastructural development, improved healthcare, revamping education and agriculture.”

He lamented that when his administration came on board, ”12 out of 23 local governments of Kaduna state had not benefited from even a one kilometre road project in 12 years. Today, the story has changed.”

”For instance, in Zangon Kataf local government, we are constructing 22 kilometres asphaltic road from Madauchi to Kafanchan which is almost completed. By the Grace of God, in the next two to three months, that road will be completed.

”From Sanga to Jemaá local government, from Gwantu to Godogodo, linking Jemaá to Sanga local government, we are also constructing 24 kilometres of asphalt road which is 70% completed,” he added.

According to the Governor, his administration is ”linking Kauru local government with Kubau local government with about 28 kilometres ongoing ashaltic road. We are going to commission it soon.

”We have done a lot of township roads in Jaba local government, a local government that had not witnessed even a two kilometre road in 12 years. We have also constructed a lot of township roads in Kagarko local government,” he added.

Governor Uba Sani who thanked President Bola Tinubu for citing the Federal University of Applied Sciences at Kachia, disclosed that ”we are constructing asphaltic road that links Kachia to the University. ”

Speaking at the mega rally, the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Femi Gbajabiamila said that Southern Kaduna which used to be the exclusive preserve of PDP, has ”woken up to the reality of the president’s reforms.”

Gbajabiamila who represented President Tinubu, said that the reforms have positively touched everyone not just in Southern Kaduna or Kaduna State, but in the entire country, adding that the best is yet to come.

The Chief of Staff said that he personally knows the defecting lawmakers, describing them as formidable PDP members who have now joined the party that will lead their constituents to salvation.

He commended Governor Uba Sani for achieving so much in two and half years, with the direction of President Tinubu, adding that ”thank you for containing terror in the state , thank you for your giant steps of development.”

In his remarks, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, described the defection of Senator Katung and Rep Amos as a political earthquake.

”Senator Sunday Marshall Katung is a man of substance and integrity. He is known for his courage, intellect and service to his people. He has shown that leadership is about vision, compassion and results.

”And my brother, Hon. Daniel Amos, is a man of rare discipline and dedication. In the House of Representatives, I appointed him to one of the most sensitive committees, the House Committee on Services.

”This is the committee that oversees the welfare, logistics and daily operations of the House. It is the heart of the institution. It requires absolute trust, prudence and skill.

”Hon. Amos did not disappoint. He became the most loved Chairman of House Services in the history of the House. Members and staff alike hold him in high regard. He worked tirelessly.

”When funds were short, he used his own. When problems arose, he provided solutions. When challenges came, he stood firm. That is leadership. That is service,” he added.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has recorded over one million applications on its student loan portal since it was launched on May 24, 2024.

According to the Fund, the figure reflects growing public confidence in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to restore trust in government-led social empowerment programmes.

Since its inception, NELFUND has disbursed more than N116bn in student loans, covering tuition and upkeep allowances for students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.

Speaking on the achievement, NELFUND Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, described it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward equitable education financing. ‘Crossing the one-million mark represents more than data; it represents renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to rise above financial barriers to education.

‘It is a testament to visionary leadership, sound policy design, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders driving this transformative agenda,’ Sawyerr said.

The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement, pledging to ensure that every qualified Nigerian student-regardless of background or location-can access education funding with transparency, efficiency, and dignity.

NELFUND emphasised its non-discriminatory approach, noting that the initiative benefits Nigerians of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, and contributes to national unity by promoting equal access to education.

As the programme continues to expand, NELFUND says it remains focused on its mission to ensure that no Nigerian is denied the opportunity to learn, grow, or contribute to national development due to financial constraints.

For inquiries, the Fund can be reached via email at info@nelf.gov.ng or through its official social media platforms: @nelfund on X and Instagram, and Nigerian Education Loan Fund – NELFUND on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has mourned the passing of Hajiya Halima Suleiman Dabo, mother of former Governor Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu.

According to family sources, late Hajiya Halima died on Saturday after a protracted illness.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mukhtar Gidado, the governor described the deceased as a devoted mother who lived a life of service and contributed immensely to her community through acts of kindness and charity.

The governor, while praying for the repose of the soul of the late matriarch, enjoined Mu’azu and the entire family to take solace in the fulfilled life the deceased had lived.

‘The Government and people of Bauchi State stand in solidarity with our former Governor, Dr. Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, and his family in this moment of grief. We pray that Almighty Allah will forgive her shortcomings, grant her eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus, and give the family the fortitude to bear this great loss,’ Governor Bala Mohammed stated.

Mu’azu served as Governor of Bauchi State from 1999 to 2007 and later became the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas over their alleged failure to investigate claims that lawmakers pay up to ?3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly.

Akpabio and Abbas were being sued in their personal capacities and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.

SERAP’s suit followed recent allegations by Ibrahim Auro, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), who, in a viral video recorded in Hausa, claimed that members of the National Assembly pay between ?1 million and ?3 million to have their bills, motions or petitions sponsored or presented in the chambers.

In the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/2214/2025 and filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP sought ‘an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution the allegations of ‘?3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.’

Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, says President Tinubu and US President Donald Trump will meet ‘in the coming days’ to address claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.

Bwala’s statement follows Trump’s recent remarks accusing the Nigerian government of ignoring attacks on Christians – a claim that has sparked widespread debate.

The US president had threatened to launch a strike in Nigeria and ‘wipe out’ terrorists he said were killing Christians in the country.

He also warned that the United States might cut off all aid and assistance to Nigeria.

According to Bwala, both leaders share a strong commitment to tackling insurgency and terrorism.

He noted that Trump had previously supported Nigeria by approving arms sales, which Tinubu’s administration has ‘adequately utilised’ in its counterterrorism efforts.

‘Both President Bola Tinubu and President Donald Trump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,’ Bwala wrote on X.

‘President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorizing the sale of arms to Nigeria, and President Tinubu has adequately utilized the opportunity in the fight against terrorism, for which we have massive results to show for it.’

Addressing the controversy over whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, Bwala said any such differences ‘would be discussed and resolved’ during the upcoming meeting, which could take place either at the State House in Abuja or the White House in Washington.

‘As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or in fact all faiths and no faiths, the differences, if they exist, would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in State House or White House,’ he added.

The Lagos State Government has appointed Dr. Farouk Mohammed Gumel, an indigene of Jigawa State, as a member of the Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Council.

The announcement was made in a circular dated October 31, 2025, signed by the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Bode Agoro.

According to the circular seen by Daily Trust, Dr. Farouk was appointed as a member of the Lagos State University Governing Council alongside 10 others, with Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, as the Board’s Chairman.

Dr. Gumel brings a wealth of experience to the role. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group and Chairman of WACOT Rice Limited. His leadership in agriculture and finance has earned him national recognition, including his previous role as Chairman of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

In August 2025, Dr. Gumel’s influence extended beyond Nigeria when he was appointed Chairman of Botswana’s newly launched Sovereign Wealth Fund by President Duma Gideon Boko.

With nearly two decades of experience and a strong academic foundation from Newcastle University, he is widely regarded as a bridge between private enterprise and public policy.

The Lagos State Government said the appointment was part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to improving the quality of education in state-owned higher institutions.

The new Governing Council is expected to steer LASU toward greater academic excellence and institutional reform.

Imagine a sociopathic meglomaniac and tyrant, a recalcitrant and unrepentant schoolyard and dockside bully and a cheap and shameless godless scumbag like President Donald Trump threatening our country with violence, military action and invasion. What a nerve!

Permit me to put the matter in context. A friend of mine sent the following words to me last night after reading his threat of war and military action.

She wrote,

‘How I wish we can simply ignore this petulant man spewing utter childish rubbish all over the place. They can categorise us as they like, that is on them and there is nothing we can do OR ought to do about that. He should bring it on. Let them send their troops and let us see. The same Islamic Terrorists that THEY FUNDED to destroy us. Serves us right, We had the CHANCE to stand and be counted on the right side of history, before God with the genocide that is been committed by Israel and funded and supported by America. For all its worth, South Africa STOOD and REPRESENTED. We were nowhere to be seen or heard. AND YET look at this!’

She concluded by saying the following,

‘it is not his fault or the Americans’ fault, it is SOLELY ours. I pray this is a wake-up call for us as leaders, as a nation and Africans. These people are NOT our friends, have never been and will never be; neither should we tolerate having them as our masters, or elders!’

I concur with this deeply courageous lady who has said it as it is. Frankly I couldn’t have put it better myself.

My response to her was as follows.

‘You are right. They are evil and, if he carries out his abominable threat, there will be a war. We shall not leave the country but we will fight it out with them. We behaved like cowards and allowed them to demonise us with no response. I do not know what is wrong with Nigerians but this will be the greatest challenge they have ever faced and maybe after it is all over they will appreciate the importance of having bold, articulate and courageous leaders and disavow themselves of their accursed cowardice, ignorance, pettiness, weakness, envy and complacency’.

I meant every word.

Trump, a fascist and an associate of the globally recognized Hitler of the 21st century, Prime Minister Benjamin has refused to call the Israeli Zionist Nazis and the UAE-backed RSF butchers of Darfur, Sudan mass murderers and genocidal maniacs but he is calling our people the ‘killers of Christians’ and is desperately trying to label our nation with the genocide tag and create a crisis in Nigeria.

I am not surprised. Permit me to tell you why.

In my essay titled ‘Christian Genocide and the Danger of Mischaracterisation’ which was published one week ago I wrote, inter alia, the following.

‘Our Government must refuse to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by the words of middle-ranking American Government officials who are not members of the MAGA inner circle and who do not truly represent the very hardline and extreme views of the right-wing Christian fundamentalist and anti-Muslim forces that Trump holds dear. If they really want to know what Trump is thinking but has so far refused to voice about Nigeria it would be wise for our Government to consider the words of Secretary of State Marco Rubio @SecRubio, Senator Ted Cruz @SenTedCruz, Congressman Riley Moore @RepRileyMoore and Congressman Chris Smith far more than the soothing and encouraging words and expressions of support from ‘friendly faces’ in the Trump administration who have deep ties with and a soft spot for Nigeria but who are not at the heart of the #MAGA power configuration like Trump’s Lebanese brother in-law and Special Advisor on African Affairs, Massad Boulus, @US_SenAdvisorAF. American doublespeak and subterfuge is an art and we must never take them for their word or drink from their poisoned chalice. As the Bible says ‘their speech is as smooth as butter but war is in their heart’.

Sadly our Government did not pay heed to my words and instead took the comforting words of Boulus as the position of Trump. How wrong they were!

What a profound miscalculation and grave error.

They succumbed to a sucker punch and two weeks later a devastating right cross was delivered to their chin.

I saw it coming but they didn’t.

This decisive blow came when Trump not only claimed that Nigeria is the most dangerous country for Christians to live in the world but also designated us as ‘a country of concern’ falsely alleging that ‘more Christians are killed in Nigeria in one day than in the rest of the world put together’.

He also said that he intends to do ‘far more against Nigeria’ and that ‘this is just the beginning’.

He proved his words by going a step further the following day by threatening to send military forces to our country and kill our people.

What he did not say but which is obvious is that a regime change orchestrated by them may also be on the cards.

That is their objective and desire. That is their style and modus. That is their character and nature.

That is their history and practice in foreign lands whose resources they covet and only a fool will deny it.

Yet it did not stop there.

On the same day Pete Hegseth @PeteHegseth, the American Secretary of War, went even further and threatened to launch air strikes and attacks on Nigeria to ‘protect our Christian brothers’.

This is the brazen threat and nonsensical rubbish that some in our midst have been cheering all night.

They forget that bombs and instruments of war when deployed by American-backed mercenaries, American proxies or American soldiers do not make any distinction between Christians and Muslims or ethnic groups.

Once they deploy, begin the carnage and the bombs begin to fly we shall ALL die or be displaced.

Worse of all those in high places that do not have the intelligence, knowledge or understanding to discern the grave implications of all this and gullible members of the Christian community in Nigeria that are applauding this absurd narrative and course of action will soon find out that we are being pushed the way of Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Congo, Gaza, Lebanon and Somalia only ours will be one hundred times worse.

As much as I despise them and their evil ways, I doff my hat to the Americans, the Zionists and their local collaborators and co-conspirators for achieving their devil-inspired and sinister purpose and pulling off this great evil all in an attempt to destabilise, destroy and divide our nation and push us into a religious war after which they will send in the monster @realErikDPrince

and what is left of his mercenary Blackwater Army to supposedly ‘protect Christians’ but in reality to secure and steal our rare earth and vast mineral resources.

That is really what this is all about: the violent acquisition of our rare earth. Sadly most in our country just don’t get it.

It has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with re-colonising us, balkanising us and destroying us.

Our Government and our people must recognise this for what it is and rise to the challenge.

We must unite, close our ranks, bury our differences and jointly resist the bullies with contempt, defiance, faith and courage. They shall not conquer us and we shall never bow before them.

There is no doubt that both Muslims and Christians are being subjected to genocide by Western and Israeli backed terrorist groups like Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, Ansaru and ISWAP in our country.

This is a matter of concern and with no international support our security forces have made progress against them in the last two years.

Despite this @realDonaldTrump has threatened our nation with war and seeks to divide us on religious lines.

The Nigerians that are applauding him are ignorant and naive because you need to be a fool to believe that Trump genuinely cares about genocide or Christians.

If he did there would be no genocide of Christians and Muslims in Gaza, Darfur or Congo today.

He is interested in only one thing: sparking off a religious war in Nigeria and sending in his troops to bomb and occupy us and corner our rare earth, our oil reserves and our mineral resources.

That is the goal and the sooner our Government and people appreciate this the better.

Whatever your views and whichever side of the divide you stand on our nation has now been threatened with war and it is incumbent upon all sons and daughters of Nigeria to stand firm, prepare for it and defend our sovereignty and every inch of our sacred soil.

We may not have their weapons or money but we have God. Trump will not survive the wrath of the God of Nigeria and he will surely fail.

To be sure this is not about President Tinubu @officialABAT or his Government: it is about our fatherland and our people.

It is about our manifest destiny and our future which some seek to destroy and shatter.

It is about our self-respect, dignity, pride and honor.

It is about the preservation of our noble heritage.

No-one will shed our blood or ‘Gaza us’ and escape it.

If attacked, by either Erik Prince’s CIA-backed private army of ruthless mercenaries or by American forces themselves, we must be ready to die fighting for our women, children, faith, dignity and nation.

To hell with the Yankee Nazis. We do not fear them and we will never bow before them.

They can choose not to help us to fight the terrorists that they sent to plague and destroy our land but they must NEVER threaten us with brazen acts of aggression, violence or an invasion.

We are a mighty nation with an ancient history of struggle and resilience.

We are a strong nation with the most formidable and remarkable people on earth who have excelled in all fields of human endeavour.

Despite the numerous challenges we face, by the power of God, we will fight back as best as we can and in the end we shall prevail.

We shall never be subjugated, broken, divided, decimated or enslaved.

Drop one bomb on our people, whether Christian or Muslim, and the fire of God will burn you, the Sword of the Lord will cut you and the plagues of of the Lord will afflict you.

It happened to Pharaoh, Sennacherub, Herod and Nebuchadnezzar and it will surely happen to you.

He shall deliver us from your evil because He is a God of justice and the oppressed. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Do your worse and let the Lord strike you down.