In the spirit of Eid-El-Kabir, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice in line with the teaching of Islam.
This is as the presidential candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and the opposition, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
They, in turn, rejoiced with Nigerians whole charging everyone to remain patriotic according to the dictates of Islam.
Also, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other Federal Government dignitaries felicitated with Nigerians home and abroad.
On their parts, State Governors like Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Godwin Obaseki of Edo; AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara; and Nyesom Wike of Rivers tasked Nigerians to let peace be their watchword.
Although they decried the continuous violence the country is facing, the leaders prayed for peace and unity to reign supreme as well as the safety of security agencies.
Lawan, however, promised that the National Assembly would continue to work with necessary bodies to restore peace and harmony to the nation.
He said, “Since the inauguration of the ninth Assembly in 2019, we have enacted a good number of quality legislations to improve the security situation and boost the economy.
“We know that more needs to be done to overcome the challenges. The government is not relenting in addressing the challenges and we are confident they will soon become history.”
As the nation approaches another election year, the senate president earnestly urged Nigerians to look to the future with hope. Adding, he pledged, “We will continue to play our roles as a government and count on the prayers and support of the people”.
Likewise, Gbajabiamila rejoiced with Muslims, while calling for prayers, unity and patriotism.
Gbajabiamila, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi said, “At times like this, the speaker said it is incumbent on the people to be united as one people to face the challenges confronting the country.
“The speaker is optimistic that with prayers, Nigeria will overcome her challenges, while calling for special prayers for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.”
Lending a voice, Tinubu alongside his wife, Oluremi, called for peace, unity and tolerance to the Muslim faithful in separate statements.
The APC presidential candidate, however, described the increase in violent attacks as “most troubling”, stating that the perpetrators of such inhumanity do so in opposition to Islam and all that it means.
Atiku also urged the current regime to show love to the people, in the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir by prioritising the needs of the citizens and discharging its responsibilities.
While praying for the peace of the nation, he urged Nigerians to work hard for the “unity of all peoples, tribes, and faiths in the country.
As highlighted in a statement, he said, “I wish to also task the government at all levels to play its constitutional role, by being upright and dutiful and prioritise the needs of the people they have taken an oath to serve. The unity, security and development of our country are sacrosanct.
“The expression of love and sacrifice symbolised by the Eid-el-Kabir celebration has a strong effect on the relationship between the government and the governed.
“As stakeholders, the citizens too should take a lesson from the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir by being up and doing in their civic responsibilities.
“As we inch towards the deadline on the ongoing voter registration exercise, the people must ensure that they play their roles by not just getting their permanent voter cards, but casting their votes for the best candidates in the elections next year.
