Buhari Begs Muslims to Live in Peace with Christians

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerian Muslims to love their Christian coun­terparts to enable him deliv­er his electoral promises to all the citizens of the coun­try.

Buhari, who praised Ni­gerians for their resilience, promised to fix the economy to lessen the burden of the current hardship they face.

In a message to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir cel­ebration, the President said that Nigerians have demon­strated enough capacity to weather the storm of eco­nomic recession, which he blamed on global trend and recklessness of past admin­istrations.

The President said it was impossible to separate the present from the past to “appreciate the extent to which mistakes of the past were affecting everyday life today.”

Nonetheless, he gave his assurance that his govern­ment was working vigorous­ly to redress the situation by tackling corruption, insecu­rity, providing infrastructure and encouraging the diversi­fication of the national econ­omy.

The message reads: “Fel­low compatriots, as you cel­ebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, I salute your steadfastness in spite of the difficult eco­nomic times the country is going through. The lessons of the Eid are piety and sac­rifice and, my dear brothers and sisters, you have exhib­ited these in equal measure.

“The present recession is as a result of cumulative ef­fects of worldwide economic downturn and failure in the past to plan and save for dif­ficult times. It is impossible to separate the present from the past to appreciate the ex­tent to which mistakes of the past are affecting everyday life today.

“I assure you that this administration is working round the clock to remove the hardships the country is going through. Rail and road constructions, projects in the housing sector, support for farmers and for small and medium scale industries, youth and women’s empow­erment programmes and support for revival of indus­tries are all designed to re­invigorate the economy and enhance living the standards of ordinary people.

“We are getting security right. We are stopping cor­ruption in its tracks and we will get the economy right by the Grace of God.

“I enjoin Muslims to live by the dictates of Islam; to keep good relationships with their Christian broth­ers and sisters and as patri­ots, to maintain the spirit of the Nigerian nation. I wish everyone happy holidays.”

Also yesterday, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State urged Nigerians, espe­cially Muslims, to take ad­vantage of the period of the Eid-el-Kabir to offer special prayers for the peace and unity of the country.

Ugwuanyi, in a message to Muslims, noted that it was only through prayers and ab­solute faith in God that Nige­ria can overcome her current socio-cultural and economic challenges.

The governor stressed the need for peaceful co-existence among Nigeri­ans irrespective of their reli­gious and ethnic differences, adding that the God, who brought us together as one entity, will certainly take the nation to the dreams of the it’s founding fathers.

He also urged Nigerians to love and appreciate one another and avoid all un­godly acts that could lead to disunity.

Similarly, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said that de­spite the current economic challenges confronting the country, there’s hope that measures put in place by the Federal Government will yield positive results and re­turn Nigeria to the path of growth and financial stabil­ity.

Tambuwal, in a mes­sage to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, said the reforms instituted by the APC-led Federal Govern­ment were designed to start the journey to the country’s development and self-reli­ance.

“We may be facing tough challenges now, but I believe they are just for the short-term. Measures put in place by the government will have positive impact in the medi­um and long-term. This ad­ministration has shown a strong will to diversify the economy and reduce reli­ance on oil. That measure has started yielding results,” he said.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, his dep­uty, Hon. Sulaimon Lasun and former National Chair­man of the People’s Demo­cratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday all called for peaceful co-ex­istence among the citizens, irrespective of tribe, religion and party affiliation.

Dogara, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, called on the Mus­lim faithful to use the peri­od for sober reflection and to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice for peace, unity and progress of the country.

The Speaker noted that peaceful co-existence and understanding, as well as sustained prayers among citizens were essential in the face of the current econom­ic and security challenges in the country which are not insurmountable.

Lasun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Wole Oladimeji, appealed to the Muslim faithful all over the country to reflect on the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir by be­ing their brothers’ keeper.

Lasun called for patience and perseverance, especial­ly in this period of econom­ic recession.

He urged Muslims to em­ulate the practice of Proph­et Mohammed (SWT) by ex­tending hands of fellowship to friends and neighbours alike and pray for the im­provement of our economy and to support the present administration.

Tukur, in his goodwill message to Muslims and oth­er Nigerians, urged greater love and unity among Nige­rians irrespective of religious inclination.

He appealed to the citi­zens to support the Federal Government “as we have no other country than Nigeria.”