As Muslim faithfuls in Nigeria join their counterparts in the rest of the world to celebrate this years’s 1442 AH Eid-el-Fitri celebration, President Muhammadu Buhari, Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; a national leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have urged Nigerians to unite against insecurity in the land and spread love as well as imbibe the lessons of the just-concluded month of Ramadan.
In the same vein, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State also joined Nigerian Muslims to celebrate the Sallah festival.
President Buhari in his Eid-el-Fitri message urged Nigerians to embrace love and unity especially now that the country is experiencing incessant attacks from bandits and terrorist groups.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, the president asked Nigerians to pray against the elements disturbing the peace of the country.
The statement reads: “On the occasion of Eid,” called for unity and solidarity, saying: “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,” the statement added.
Also, Atiku who was also the 2019 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took to his official Twitter handle to celebrate with his fellow Muslim brothers
In his message, he tasked the Nigerian Muslims on the need to embrace peace and love to one another. He urged Muslims to desist from tribalism and nepotism that could further divide the country.
He tweeted, “As Muslims, 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.”
Similary, Asiwaju Tinubu who took to his official twitter handle appeal to Nigerians to embrace unity and desist from harming each other.
He also urged Nigerians to continue pray and support the President.
The tweet reads, “I join with Muslims in Nigeria and across the world in marking the faithful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, one of the most critical pillars of Islam. As Muslims we have fasted and prayed in a special way during this holy month. We have sacrificed.
“This act of sacrifice in abstaining from food, drink and other worldly things from dawn to dusk, is not simply a ritual to be performed so that we may seem religious or pious to others.
“We abstain from these ordinary things to strengthen our patience, forbearance, perseverance and tolerance. We do so as a sign of complete devotion to and love for Allah and in total appreciation of His mercy toward us.
“In that an essential lesson that Ramadan teaches is love and compassion, we observe this holy month in order to bring more compassion and love unto this world and in our relations with all we meet, friends as well as strangers, fellow Muslims as well as those of other faiths or beliefs.
“Now that the holy month of Ramadan is ending, we must counsel ourselves not to forget its great lessons. We must be better than we were before. We must treat each other with more compassion and understanding.
“We must build a better society free from want, violence and hatred. We must never condone and tolerate the works and words of those who would do evil or who would pit brother against brother, Nigerian against Nigerian.
“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 put politics aside and continue to pray to Almighty Allah for our country and all its people.
“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,” he added.
The Senate President on his part, urged Nigerians to continue praying for the country. Lawan in his message issued by his Special Adviser, Media, Ola Awoniyi, also assured that the National Assembly under his leadership is determined to provide robust security.
The message reads, “Because of the current security and economic challenges, our country, Nigeria, needs the prayers of every patriot now more than ever before to achieve the peace, unity and progress that were the dreams of the founding fathers.
“I assure us that the government, including the National Assembly, will not waver in its determination to provide robust security in the country that guarantees every law-abiding citizen the liberty to live in peace and pursue legitimate businesses anywhere they choose.
“Let us remain strong in our hope that Nigeria will become what we fervently want it to be: a nation that fills its citizens with happiness and pride.”
Similarly, the immediate past Senate President, Saraki congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and the consequent Eid-El-Fitri festival.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser and Head of his Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also advised Nigerians to continue with their closeness to Almighty Allah and their prayers for His intervention in the affairs of the country, even after the obligatory fasting period.
The statement partly reads, “We should refrain from returning to our old habits and become responsible citizens who pray for the country at all times and play our roles in the quest to entrench the fear of God, discipline, unity, development, equity, justice and inclusiveness in the polity.
Additionally, Governor Oyetola in his message implore Nigerians to take advantage of the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations to pray for peace and progress of the country.
In his words, “I implore Muslims and non-Muslims in Osun to take advantage of today’s celebration to offer special prayers for the peace, progress and development of our state and country at large.
“Let me also use this opportunity to once again appreciate you all for your support and prayers for our administration, and appeal for more support and understanding as we continue to strive to fulfil our administration’s promises and make Osun better than we met it.”
