The former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and his one-time presidential running mate, Peter Obi, have congratulated Muslims across the country for their successful end to Ramadan fast.
In separate messages on Sunday, the politicians called for prayers for the country.
Atiku said this year’s Ramadan fast “came around at a period of excruciating hardship and hunger in the country.”
He noted that while the Ramadan season encourages charity to the less privileged, “it becomes imperative on leaders to make sure that after Ramadan, governments initiate interventions that will ensure the well-being and welfare of the people is sustained.”
Atiku emphasised that “it is important to call the attention of those in positions of authority to the practices of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that teach about the obligations of leadership to the people.”
He added that “it is not enough that the government will ask that the people brace themselves for harsh economic conditions. It is sufficient for the leadership to show compassion to the masses and act with fear of God.
“The celebration of Eid-el-Fitri should be an opportunity to remind ourselves to continue to intensify the good deeds that were embraced during Ramadan and for the people to continue to pray for progress in our private lives and our dear country in general,” he concluded.
Obi, on his part, rejoiced with Muslims, saying the period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual renewal has not only strengthened their faith but also “reminded us all of the enduring values of sacrifice, discipline, and love for one another.”
He said, “As you celebrate this Eid-el-Fitr, I encourage you to carry forward the lessons of Ramadan—compassion, humility, and service to humanity. Let us seize this moment to renew our collective commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of our dear nation, Nigeria.”
Obi added, “At this critical time in our history, when many of our people face economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty, we must embrace the true essence of Eid—the spirit of giving, kindness, and solidarity. Let us extend a helping hand to the less privileged, support one another, and work together to build a just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
“I pray that Almighty Allah accepts your sacrifices, grants you His boundless blessings, and brings peace and prosperity to our beloved country. May this season usher in renewed hope and strength for us all.”
Meanwhile, the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in its message commended “our Muslim faithful for their utmost devotion to Almighty Allah expressed in fervent prayers, sacrifice, charity, and commitment to peace and unity of our dear country throughout the holy month of Ramadan.”
The party said, “As we celebrate, we implore our Muslim faithful to continue to exemplify the virtues and essence of Ramadan by sustaining their supplications, sacrifice, generosity, and tolerance as espoused by the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“We also urge them to use the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr to further pray for our leaders and rededicate themselves to the collective task of achieving sustainable peace, progress, and development for our dear country.”
Also, the major opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged “Nigerians to allow the divine lessons and values of love, unity, peace, patience, tolerance, restraint, and total submission to the Will of the Almighty Allah, among other virtues imbibed during the period, to guide their daily dealings with one another.”
The party further urged “Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions at all levels, to re-dedicate themselves to the path of selfless service guided by love, truth, fairness, honesty, and impartiality in all their activities and put away acts of corruption, arrogance, manipulation, and insensitivity to the plight of the people.”
A statement by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, on Sunday said, “Indeed, the Eid-el-Fitr offers us as a nation and humanity the divine portal to redeem our nation by standing up for justice, strict adherence to the Rule of Law, and accountability in the polity.”
The PDP said it is “deeply disturbed that while citizens of other countries are celebrating Eid-el-Fitr in plenty, Nigerians are dampened in spirit due to the unbearable hardship occasioned by the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which has worsened in the last two years.
“Our Party, however, charges Nigerians not to relent but to continue to apply the lessons of Ramadan in recharging their resilience, focus, and love for one another in the pursuit of a God-fearing, secure, and prosperous nation that we once had under the PDP administration.”
The PDP called on Nigerians to use the occasion as usual to reach out, uplift, and share, especially the less privileged, the displaced, and those who are hurting due to one misfortune or the other, so that the joy of Eid-el-Fitr can spread to all.
Eid-El-Fitr; Atiku, Obi, APC, PDP Felicitate With Muslims, Call For Prayer is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
