By Ada Okafor
A former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has extended his felicitations to Christians across the country and the world, urging Nigerians to imbibe the enduring virtues of love and selfless sacrifice exemplified by Jesus Christ.
This is as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, has asked Nigerian Christians to use the Easter period to pray for compassionate leaders who will share in their pains.
In a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, the Waziri Adamawa emphasised that such noble virtues remain indispensable to fostering the unity and cohesion Nigeria, so urgently required, especially in a time when narrow, sectional interests threaten to erode the bonds that hold the nation together.
“This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters in celebrating Easter — a sacred moment that commemorates the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
“It is a season that calls for deep introspection, compassion, and reaching out to those in need,” Atiku said.
He called on Nigerians of all faiths and ethnicities to unite in prayer and purpose for the peace and progress of the nation.
“Let us remain steadfast in the pursuit of unity across every divide. Our strength as a people lies in our togetherness. A nation united shall always endure and flourish,” he affirmed.
Expressing optimism, Atiku declared his belief that Nigeria shall overcome her present trials.
“Though evil may momentarily cast a shadow, the collective goodness and resilience of Nigerians will prevail. In unity and shared purpose, our nation shall rise,” he stressed..
Furthermore, he urged Nigeria’s leaders at every level to use the Easter period as a time of introspection, embracing the spirit of the season to recommit to their sacred duty of service.
In his part, Obi, in an Easter message stated that Compassionate leaders always think of the people in the consequences of their actions and inactions, according to a statement by Ibrahim Umar, Spokesman, Peter Obi Media Relations (POMR).
“At Easter, what Christians celebrate is the huge sacrifice Jesus Christ made for mankind.
“Therefore, there is no better time to pray for tender-hearted and caring leaders for our country than at Easter when we saw in Jesus a remarkable, compassionate leader,” Obi stated.
He said that “what is apparent in Nigeria today as insecurity and myriads of problems engulf the land is a visible abdication of responsibility by insensitive and indifferent leaders.
“Nigeria deserves better leadership than they are getting to turn the natural and human capital gifts from God to the benefit of the populace.
“I urge fellow Nigerians and the Obedient family across the globe, never to despair in the face of any tribulations because our Redeemer is living and active”, assuring that a New Nigeria is possible.
