In commemoration of the 2023 Eid-el-Fitri, which marks the end of Ramadan for the Muslim faithful, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, alongside many state governors and monarchs have felicitated Muslims across the country.
CAN, in a statement by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Friday, described Ramadan as a time of self-reflection and renewed commitment to living a life of piety and peace, adding that Islam and Christianity share a lot of good virtues.
The statement partly read, “We extend our warmest greetings and felicitations to the President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. We rejoice with them and pray that the blessings of God will be with them now and always.
“Islam and Christianity share a lot of good virtues in common and we must use our understanding of the holy books to promote inclusivity, and work towards building a more tolerant and egalitarian society for us all.”
Also, the Sultan in his message tasked politicians seeking redress in courts to accept the outcomes in good faith.
He added, “The elections had come and gone, people should go ahead with their routine activities peacefully. Politicians seeking redress in courts should take the outcomes in good faith and support whoever emerges for the sustenance of peace, unity and development.”
The sultan appreciated the Almighty Allah for the successful completion of Ramadan fasting by the Muslim Ummah across the country.
Atiku preaches tolerance
The PDP presidential candidate and former vice president also called for peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance.
He added, “Let’s not pretend that all is well. Our country is deeply divided. The outcome of the 2023 presidential election has made this division worse. I’m sincerely worried about this appalling reality. Nigeria is so important to us that we shouldn’t abandon its fate to divisive and demagogic politicians.”
Govs seek peace
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, urged Muslims to continue the practice of spirituality and peaceful co-existence.
“Please, let us all continue to live in that state of grace. Let us continue to imbibe and show that something important has passed through us and let it reflect in our words, our lives, and our relationship with fellow human beings,” he said.
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, also urged Muslim faithful to display love, peace and justice as their contribution to nation-building.
He added, “As we celebrate across Nigeria, it is important to remind us of the importance of respecting the faiths and beliefs of all. I urge all Muslim faithful and every Nigerian to use the celebration for sober reflection and pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation as the country prepares for transition to a new government at the centre and the states.”
In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, urged Nigerians not to allow religion to interrupt the growth and progress of the country.
He said, “Don’t allow religion to come in-between growth and progress of the country, but stand up for the promotion of the dignity of humanity, as well as mutual respect for each other’s faith. As we celebrate Sallah, I urge you to reflect on those virtues that will make Nigeria a better country for all and the future generation.”
In Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said he had no grudge against anyone. In his Sallah message via a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, the governor said having been in the saddle of governance in the state for more than two decades, he had every cause to thank Allah and quit with no grievance against anyone.
The governor reiterated his plea for forgiveness from those he might have offended in the cause of governing the state. He said he had forgiven those who offended him and that they should reciprocate the same gesture by forgiving him.
He appealed to the Muslim faithful to imbibe the moral lessons of the Holy month of Ramadan, which teaches love and support for one another.
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State also prayed for unity as he joined Muslims across the world to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri.
The governor said, “Based on the choice we made in terms of looking at the welfare and overall development of the state and the residents, we are moving the state based on capability. With unity, we can move the state forward.”
Also, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, congratulated Muslims. He appealed to all the communities in the state to uphold peace and harmony despite the security challenges in many communities. He also urged all residents to practice vigilance and be law-abiding.
Kaduna State Governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani, has urged political leaders to prioritise the security and welfare of citizens by putting in place policies that would uplift their standard of living.
The state’s governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani, in his message also sued for unity and peaceful co-existence of citizens in the state regardless of religious and ethnic affinities. He added, “We are assembling a formidable team of technocrats and politicians that will hit the ground running as we look to the future with hope. We pray for Allah’s guidance.”
Adeleke seeks prayers
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, also charged Muslim faithful to always pray for his administration for it to deliver on all campaign promises.
Adeleke said this at the Eid prayer ground in Oke-Baale, Osogbo, on Friday. He promised to work hard to deliver on his campaign promises, saying, “I will continue to give residents of Osun the much-desired dividends of democracy which they voted for.”
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, called on Islamic faithful to continually pray for peace, progress and tolerance in Nigeria.
He added, “I urge them to continue to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of Bayelsa State and Nigeria. My administration is committed to promoting peaceful co-existence between and among adherents of the different faiths in order to build a prosperous state for everyone to realise their dreams.”
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in his message charged Muslim faithful not to lose faith in the country, “despite its many socio-economic challenges but continue to pray for our dear state and country, Nigeria, and work towards the progress and development of our state and nation.”
Oyebanji congratulates Muslims
The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, congratulated Muslims in the state and the country at large on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan which culminated in the Eid Fitri celebration.
Oyebanji, who said the season called for spiritual renewal and closer relationship with Allah, said completing the 30-day Ramadan fast “is an act of grace from the Almighty Allah who consistently accepted the prayers and supplications of the faithful during Ramadan and at other periods.”
Former Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, called on Muslim faithful to not forget the significance of Ramadan as he also prayed that Allah should accept all acts of worship and supplications during the fasting period.
Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Senator-elect for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Godswill Akpabio, urged Muslim faithful in Nigeria to continue to pray for the unity, peace and progress of the nation.
Akpabio, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Jackson Udom, prayed that the “peace of God that passes human understanding be bestowed upon our country, as a result of our sacrifices during the Ramadan. Let us also remember those in need as we celebrate and pray for the stability of our dear nation.”
Also, the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, commended followers of Islam for their devotion, prayers and urged them to use the period to reflect on the tenets of the Islamic religion as enshrined in the Holy Qur’an.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor, urged residents of the state not to abandon valuable teachings of Ramadan even after the holy month.
In a statement by the Head, Media and Communications for Jandor4Governor Campaign Organisation, Gbenga Ogunleye, he said, “Self-discipline created by the Ramadan fast encourages showing compassion towards fellow human beings who cannot feed because of poverty. I enjoin all well-meaning residents of the state to persevere and remain resolute in their aspirations.”
FCT minister reacts
The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello, in his message urged residents to shun divisive comments and utterances and pursue healing and togetherness as the country prepares for transition of power.
The Peoples Democratic Party in a Sallah message by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated, “The PDP is deeply saddened that at a time such as this, Nigerians are still under siege by terrorists and subjected to a life of fear, misery, anguish, abject poverty and excruciating economic hardship occasioned by the inexcusable misrule of an incompetent, insensitive, heavily corrupt and manipulative leadership in the last eight years.”
Monarchs speak
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has urged Muslim Ummah to sustain their religious obligations of living in peace and harmony with all.
Similarly, the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar III, urged muslims to replicate the lessons of Ramadan as he urged “wealthy Muslims to continue to assist the needy so that they can participate also in Sallah.”
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