The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are in agreement that Nigeria needs dose of prayers as Muslims kick off their Ummah.
“In observance of this year’s Ramadan fasting, the All Progressives Congress (APC) urges Muslim Ummah to use the Holy Month to pray for the peace, security and development of our dear country, Nigeria,” said the party’s national public secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu in a statement on Monday.
The APC statement read fully: “Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement, sacrifice and increased devotion and worship. We implore Muslim Ummah to follow and apply the teachings of Islam in our relationship with our neighbours- Muslims and non-Muslims. We should remember and cater for the less-privileged in our midst, stay humble and abstain from all bad deeds.
It is our inalienable right as humans to safely go about our daily activities and to live in peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. Hence, in our places of worship, educational institutions, socio-political gatherings, markets, social media and all other public spaces, we must resist divisive agents and their equally divisive messages and actions.
“We must report to relevant authorities agents of destruction who disguise as ethnic or religious champions to achieve their diabolic, selfish and heinous agenda by exploiting our perceived differences.
“The cases of kidnappings, banditry, ethno-religious and resource-fuelled crises and other violent crimes recorded in some parts of the country are undoubtedly serious sources of concern. While the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is adopting multifaceted approach to permanently tackle the conflicts and crimes, the president has equally given marching orders to relevant security services to deal with these security threats and bring back normalcy to the affected areas.
“In different fronts of our national life, the President Buhari-led APC administration has laid a solid foundation for national development, peace and progress. The result is apparent in our strengthened economy, improved electioneering, refocused value system, waning corruption, social investments, massive infrastructure drive, better standing and influence in the comity of nations, in line with the promises contained in our Change Agenda for Nigerians. We are set to consolidate on work done so far and do more as we gear up for the Next Level of our renewed mandate.
“The APC urges Muslim Ummah and indeed all Nigerians of other faiths to continue to pray for our country and for wisdom, good health and safety of our leaders, all in our collective bid to take our dear country to its deserved heights.
“Ramadan Kareem to all Muslims.”
PDP Calls For Spiritual Introspection, National Rebirth
Meanwhile, the PDP charges Nigerians to use the Holy
Month of Ramadan to fast and earnestly supplicate for national unity, peace and stability of our nation.
“The party also calls on Nigerians to use the period to rededicate
themselves to a life of total submission and faith in the Almighty Allah as well as rekindle the virtues of love, selflessness, forgiveness and brotherliness in all our affairs as a people.
“The Holy Month offers a time of soberness for personal and collective spiritual introspection for peaceful coexistence, which we intensely need to rescue our nation from her present security, social and economic challenges,” according to a statement by Kola Ologondiyan, the PDP spokesman.
The PDP said: “We must use the Holy Month to build on the values that bind us together as a people and shed off all divisive inclinations that destroy the fabric of our nation. We must revive our bond of unity by forgiving one another, sharing in love and reaching out to all those that are hurting, particularly as victims of insurgency, banditry and other acts of violence.
“The PDP also calls on those behind the killings, kidnappings and
bloodletting in various parts of our country to have a rethink and know that their actions cannot be justified under any guise.
“The party however, expressed optimism that with prayers and commitment to the national course, our nation will rebound on the path of peace, national cohesion and economic prosperity.
“The PDP therefore prays for the nation and wishes all Muslim faithful a successful Ramadan.”