Amid worsening insecurity and murderous acts across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari and other political leaders have urged Nigerians to pray for God’s intervention thereby bringing such heinous crimes to an end.
In his Eid-el-Fitr message to the nation, Buhari asked Muslims and Nigerians to seek God’s face against kidnapping, banditry and “blackmail.”
The Federal Government had declared Wednesday and Thursday public holidays to mark the end of Ramadan.
Calling for unity and solidarity among Nigerians, Buhari said: “On this blessed occasion, I wish that the Eid festival brings with it peace, safety, security, brotherhood and love amongst all.
Unity and solidarity among all citizens, Muslims and Christians are imperative, especially at a time when our country is faced with multiple challenges, which are surmountable only when we come together as one.
“It is important that we remember how we share, through our faiths, common bonds that should serve to unite us and not allow ourselves to succumb to those who seek to divide us, using our two great religions, for their own selfish advantages.
“We should jointly pray against the tragic incidents of kidnapping and banditry and the desperate quest for political power expressed through blackmail against the existence of our country as a united entity.”
“We must resist the temptation to retreat into our communities.
” I urge our political and religious leaders as well as traditional rulers to encourage our citizens to turn towards one another in love and compassion,” Persecondnews quotes Buhari as saying in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu.
A former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, As Muslims, said: “We need to remind ourselves of our obligation to ensuring peace and unity within our family and in our neighbourhood at all times.
“Today, across Nigeria, there is a scary and growing tendency to mistrust along ethnic and religious lines.
“As Muslims, we know from both the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Noble Prophet Muhammed (SAW) that no tribe or race is superior to another, except the one that seeks piety to the Almighty Allah.
“We do not attain piety through hate or blood-letting. We attain piety through forbearance and by sharing love. That is the message that we must give some reflection as we celebrate Eid today.”
Also in his message to fellow Muslims, former Lagos Governor and APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, urged Nigerians to put politics aside and continue to pray to Almighty Allah for the country and its people.
He said:”Let us put politics aside and continue to pray to Almighty Allah for our country and all its people.
“Let righteous acts, efforts of Ramadan continue to guide our actions among others.
“We must never condone and tolerate the works and words of those, who would do evil or who would pitch brother against brother, Nigerian against Nigerian.
“Let us remember President Muhammadu Buhari and his government in our prayers that they may be given the requisite strength and wisdom to protect the nation, defeat the challenges that confront us and help establish Nigeria as a more prosperous and just land.”
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