Eid-el Kabir: Buhari, PDP, Atiku sue for peace, cooperation, hope

President Muhammadu Buhari, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as its Presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2023 General Elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have enjoined Nigerians to cooperate with security operatives in ridding the country of bandits and terrorists.

This is also as they called for peace and hope among the populace in getting the country through its trying period.

Speaking in Daura, Katsina State, Saturday, after the Eid-el Kabir prayers, President Buhari said all those that had unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens should reflect on their atrocities, knowing that they soiled their names and family reputation.

“We are praying that the rainy season will be good for production of the food we eat in the country.

“Look at when we closed the borders for about two years, a lot of people went back to the farms and they have not regretted that decision. Now we are feeding ourselves and exporting rice.

“My advice is that people that are organising themselves and attacking institutions and communities. The people know them. So let them report them to the security agencies.

“I hope they will sit and reflect and make sure they save their names and their families,” he said.

At the prayer ground, the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar said the President had represented the Daura Emirate and indigenes well in his service to the nation, upholding his integrity at all times and working for the collective good of all.

“He has done well to ensure peace and turnaround of the economy, and all that is within his capacity to promote safety    in Nigeria. He remains a man of integrity and we are proud of his achievements.

“For more than seven years, he has been working for the good of the country. We pray that God will surround him with people that will help him,” he said.

President Buhari, thereafter, walked most of the way home from the prayer ground to felicitate with people in Daura, eliciting cheers, prayers and praises.

On its part, the opposition PDP, in its message on the occasion, Saturday, urged Nigerians, particularly the Muslim Community to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, to pray for the country.

The party urged the Muslim faithful to strengthen their trust in the Almighty Allah and keep hope alive despite the prevailing economic, social and security challenges confronting the nation.

A statement by the party signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said: “Our Party however urges Nigerians not to allow the sufferings they face at this time to make them lose sight of the lessons and blessings of Eid-el-Kabir; the call for obedience, trust, selflessness and submission to the Will and Command of the Almighty Allah in all our dealings”.

Ologunagba said the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir presents Nigerians with the opportunity to reawaken the virtues of selflessness, love and care for one another especially the less privileged, the weak, the broken-hearted including victims of the acts of terrorism in the country.

 “The party urges those behind the killings and terrorism to have a rethink and end their dastardly acts as well as release all those in their captivity”. Ologunagba said.

Ologunagba said the PDP however, charges the All Progressives Congress, (APC), led government to seek help to tackle terrorism, address the economic, social and health situations, revamp the productive sector, attend to the crisis in the education sector so that students in public universities can return to their studies.

The PDP, therefore, wished Nigerians ‘a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration.’

Similarly, the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar reminded Muslims that the essence of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration is sacrifice, love, and hope for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria and the world at large.

Atiku, in his Eid-el-Kabir message, said the hardships in the land and various experiences that people go through to survive, plus the lack of unity amongst Nigerians, are the reasons why citizens must have a sober reflection on the State of the country as they join in the global celebration.

He said that the selfless sacrifice and communal love as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ishmael, should guide Nigerians, as they submit themselves and their needs to the Will of Allah.

“If we emulate the righteousness and great virtues of the Holy Prophet, mankind shall no doubt receive the reward of Allah’s love and mercy, the privileged and wealthy ones amongst us need to intensify their acts of charity to the less privileged. There’s love in sharing. Let’s work in concert to purposefully lessen the hardship facing our brothers and sisters. Let’s love our neighbors as ourselves’’. Atiku emphasised.

Atiku also called on government at all levels to play their Constitutional role, by being upright, dutiful, and prioritizing the needs of the people they have taken an oath to serve, noting that unity, security, and development of Nigeria are sacrosanct.

He noted that as stakeholders, the citizens too should take a lesson from the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir by being ‘up’ and ‘doing’ in their civic responsibilities.

”As we inch towards the deadline on the on-going voter registration exercise, the people must ensure that they play their roles by not just getting their Permanent Voters Card, PVC, but casting their votes for the best candidates in the election next year”. Atiku added.

He further tasked Nigerians to ‘work even harder in ensuring unity of all peoples, tribes, and faiths in the country.’