NewsNigeriaPoliticsEaster: Buhari, Tinubu, Obi, Atiku preach love, hope and unity

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President Muhammadu Buhari and the President-elect, Bola Tinubu have felicitated with Christians on the occasion of Easter which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, urging them to imbibe the messages of love and hope that Christ’s death reflected.
President Buhari’s and Tinubu’s messages were also reiterated by Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar who contested the last presidential election under the platform of the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party, respectively.
In his Easter message, the President expressed optimism that Nigeria has a “glorious future” and urged Nigerians to not lose hope of the “better seasons”.
“I join Christians in Nigeria and around the world to celebrate Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, signposting his victory over death. It is a season that reminds us that the Almighty can turn an unpleasant situation around for good.
“Recognising that Easter is about renewed hope and a glorious future, I urge all Nigerians to continue to be confident and believe strongly in our country for better seasons ahead.”
President Buhari also congratulated the winners of the February 25 and March 18 elections, while acknowledging the right of aggrieved candidates to contest the outcome of the election in court, saying: “I expect them to wait patiently and allow our legal system to run its course.”
He concluded: “As we celebrate this season with our families, neighbours and communities, let us do so in love, compassion, kindness, resilience and forgiveness.”
Tinubu admonished Nigerians to reflect on the priceless sacrifice and limitless love of God for mankind this season, adding: “As we celebrate, let us also remember our obligation, as God’s children, to love our neighbour, regardless of tongue, faith and tribe.
“For Christians everywhere, this celebration is in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s life of service and his supreme sacrifice for the salvation of mankind.”
Preaching the need for peaceful co-existence, the President-elect said: “And as we observe Easter this year, let us all imbibe the essential message of Christ’s ministry and truly begin to love our fellow Nigerians as we love ourselves.
“We will make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country we all desire if we eschew divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with our compatriots.”
On his part, Obi sent greetings to Nigerian Christians and Muslims who are currently observing the Ramadan fast.
His message reads: “On the occasion of Easter, the celebration of the risen Christ, l wish all Christians a happy celebration and pray that the message and blessings of the resurrection will remain with us.
“To our Muslim brothers and sisters who are well into the Ramadan fasting period, which will culminate in the Eid El Fitr, my special greetings and prayers are with you as we look forward to a joyous celebration.”
He enjoined Nigerians not to despair notwithstanding the challenges facing the country and called for prayers for a better Nigeria.
He said, “Given that we are all united as brothers and sisters, and in our trust in the mercies and infinite benevolence of God Almighty, I urge all Nigerians, particularly the youths not to despair in the face of many challenges and tribulations that we are facing as a country.
“We continue to thank God for all His blessings on Nigeria and pray for a better and New Nigeria, where equity, fairness, peace, unity, accountable leadership and prosperity shall reign.”
For Abubakar, the Easter season is a “time for deep reflection”, a “time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need” and a “time for all of us — regardless of faith or ethnicity — to come together to pray for the peace of our nation.”
The former vice-president said that “leaders at all levels should follow the virtues that define this season — sacrifice, love, and charity — and come together to help all Nigerians resolve the differences that divide us.”
He added, “We must not allow those who seek to divide us to pretend as if our problems are a result of another ethnic or religious group. We must collectively own our problems and collectively find solutions to overcome them.”
By Ezinwanne Onwuka (Senior Reporter)

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