Eid-el-Maulud: Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, Others Preach Peace, Unity

As Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts the world over to
commemorate the Eid Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad,
President Muhammadu Buhari; President of Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki;
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Deputy
President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Ogun State
Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi
Okowa, have called on Nigerians to close ranks and work for a
country where every man is his brother’s keeper.

In his message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said the nation is making
great progress under the APC-led federal government in dealing with
issues of security, the war against corruption, the reform and
restructuring of the economy and the provision of needed
infrastructure but to be fully successful, the country needs the
support and prayers of all citizens.

He also asked for prayers for the nation for peaceful
electioneering as we embark on the journey to democratic elections
in the New Year.
Saraki, on his part, urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday celebration to show love to one another
and imbibe the virtues of perseverance and restraint.

The Senate President while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on
the birthday of the Holy Prophet emphasised that the occasion
should inspire Nigerians to renew their belief in the Almighty
Allah and the country.

Saraki charged Nigerians, particularly Muslims to always emulate
and promote the virtues of Prophet Muhammad which include honesty,
love for others and peaceful co-existence, saying “He, Prophet
Muhammad preached and lived for peace and was revered and widely
followed for his honesty and perseverance”.

The Maulud, according to him, would not have come at a better
time than now when the country is about to conduct elections,
adding that “this year’s Maulud has come at the most appropriate
time for Nigerians to use it in praying for peaceful, free, fair
and credible elections.”
On his part, Dogara called on the Ummah to replicate in their
lives, the virtues of righteousness, honestly, charity and peaceful
coexistence as exemplified by the prophet.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public
Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said the celebration of Maulud
is an opportunity for the adherents to renew faiths, rejuvenate
their spirit and engender love in the society.
“The life of Prophet Muhammad and his teachings on piety, unity,
charity, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness should serve
as a lesson and guidance as we march towards building a nation of
our dream”.

In his message, Ekweremadu called for peaceful prayers towards
2019 general elections and charged politicians to play by the rules
and highest democratic ethos.
He said: “As the nation joins the Muslim Ummah around the world to
mark the birth of the holy prophet, let all compatriots rededicate
themselves to the path of peaceful coexistence, unity, love,
forgiveness, and tolerance to build a Nigeria of our dreams.

“I urge our Muslim brethren to pray for unity and peace in the
country as well as a peaceful general elections in 2019.
“I also call on the political elites to eschew any utterances and
actions capable of undermining peaceful and credible elections. Let
the campaigns be issues-based and a rich marketplace of ideas and
plausible alternatives for the peace and development of the
country.”

On his part, Amosun, in a statement signed by the state
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye,
said in the midst of the celebration, Muslims should also pray for
the nation and the leaders.

“As we rejoice in celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed,
let us be mindful of the need to pray for peace and unity among the
citizens, which form the fulcrum for the progress of our dear
country.

“It is not coincidental that this is coming in the build up to
the 2019 polls, but a divine arrangement, to give us the
opportunity to lift up our voices in supplication to Allah, for
guidance in the choice of our leaders,” Amosun added.
The governor also called on Nigerians to continue to live in
harmony and tolerant of each other, irrespective of religion, tribe
and language.

For Okowa, Muslims need to offer prayers for peaceful conduct of
the 2019 general elections.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu,
the governor enjoined Nigerians, and Deltans especially Muslims to
use the celebration as a period of sober reflection and pray for
the peace and unity of the country especially as we are entering an
election year.

The governor also advised Muslims to use the period to reflect
on the challenges bedeviling our country and share with one
another, to spread the virtues of peace, love and charity which the
Holy Prophet represents.

He enjoined Muslims to follow the exemplary leadership of the
Holy Prophet Mohammed by promoting and ensuring peaceful
co-existence within the society.
While urging Nigerians to eschew ethnic, political and religious
tendencies in all their dealings, he urged them to work towards
building a secured and prosperous nation.

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