From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja and Ayo Kehinde
President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party have extended their fellowship to the Muslim Ummah and other Nigerians for witnessing this year’s Eid-el Maulud.
They called on Muslims and indeed all Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliations to apply the teachings of Prophet Mohammed which borders on peaceful coexistence, tolerance, justice, charity and piety as we collectively work for the peace, progress and development of our dear country, Nigeria.
In a message to commemorate this year’s Maulud’s anniversary, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the President of the Senate congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the birthday of the Holy Prophet and said that the occasion should inspire Nigerians to renew their belief in the Almighty Allah and the country.
Saraki charged Nigerians, particularly Muslims to always emulate and promote the virtues of Prophet Muhammad which include honesty, love for others and peaceful co-existence, saying “He, Prophet Muhammad preached and lived for peace and was revered and widely followed for his honesty and perseverance”.
The Maulud, he said, would not have come at a better time than now when the country is about to conduct elections, “this year’s Maulud has come at the most appropriate time for Nigerians to use it in praying for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.”
“In all our campaigns, let us strive to live by the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad among, which is to show respect for one another, irrespective of our political affiliations,” he said.
APC said: “With the official flag off of political campaigns ahead of the 2019 general elections, we are at a critical juncture where we must make the right choice in who leads us at all level of governance. We must be wary of the empty promises and antics of the same people who oversaw the ruining of the country and now parade themselves as newly-converted saints with promises of a Nigerian Eldorado.
“With the launch of the APC manifesto for the 2019 election campaign tagged #NextLevelNigeria, we are now faced with a choice of returning the President Buhari administration which is rebuilding the country in all facets; has broken from our tainted past; chosen accountability over waste; probity over impunity and the people over a self-serving cartel.
Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris who is the state co-ordinator of Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign noted that the Eid-el-Maulud is a festival that commemorates the birth of the holy Prophet Mohammed and counsels Nigerians to use the period for emulating the life of the prophet and spiritual rebirth.
“This is a critical period in the life of our dear country. Political tensions are understandably high. I urge us the shelve our differences, reflect on the things that unite as a people as a people and pray for peace and growth of the country and that God himself will make people he has chosen to emerge as leaders in the elections. We cannot help ourselves. We need Allah to help us.”
The PDP urged Nigerians to use this year’s Eid-el Maulud celebration to pray for the nation and rekindle our sense of national unity, fear of God and love for one another as compatriots while shunning all divisive and disruptive tendencies.
The party also called for prayers for a new direction and God’s guidance, particularly as the nation gears up for the 2019 general election to select new sets of leaders at various levels across the country.
“Eid-el Maulud, the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (S A W), presents to us as a nation with ample lessons in the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, truth over falsehood, peace over strife, love over hatred, piety over depravity, mutual respect over intimidation and harassment, justice over impunity and discrimination and faith over despair.
The PDP urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of Eid-el Maulud to reach out and support the needy, the sick, and the deprived, particularly victims of escalated violence and daily bloodletting in various parts of our country in the last three and half years.
The party also called on Nigerians not to despair but continue to rekindle their faith in the nation, “as the 2019 general election will usher in a new beginning with a new God-fearing and people-oriented leadership that is set to return our nation to the path of social stability, national cohesion and economic prosperity.
