Victor EzejaFormer President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and leading opposition figures, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have urged the citizens to embrace peace, unity and love for one another.
In his goodwill message, Jonathan extended heartfelt felicitations to Muslims across Nigeria and around the world.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe ex-president stated that the celebration is a reminder of the virtues of faith, sacrifice, devotion, and generosity, which are values that resonate deeply across all humanity.
While noting that the strength of Nigeria lies in its diversity and shared commitment to peace and unity, Jonathan called on the people to come use the moment to deepen the bond of brotherhood and work together to overcome challenges facing the country.
“Let us use this moment to deepen the bonds of brotherhood, promote mutual respect, and work towards overcoming our challenges and recommit to building a future of lasting peace, progress, and shared prosperity,” Jonathan stated.
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He wished the people a joyful celebration.
In his Eid-el-Kabir Message, former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, said the celebration calls for commitment to acts of kindness, love, and peace.
Atiku called on leaders at various levels to show compassion and prioritise the welfare of citizens.
He appealed to Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to pray for the unity and prosperity of the country.
“The essence of Eid-al-Adha, rooted in the traditions of Prophet Ibrahim and upheld by Prophet Muhammad, calls us to reflect kindness and peace in our lives,” Atiku stated.
“Leadership demands forbearance and commitment to the greater good. I appeal to those in authority to show compassion and prioritise the welfare of the people, in line with God’s command.”
On his part, Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, said the festival calls for reflection on “the enduring power of faith, obedience, and selflessness.”
He emphasised that the celebration is also a time for deep reflection on the values of compassion, justice, and a shared responsibility for one another, especially the most vulnerable ones.
Obi called on leaders to use the opportunity to “reflect on the noble virtues of leadership – sacrifice, accountability, humility, and service – and apply them becomingly in the discharge of public duty.”
“I wish all Nigerians a peaceful and joyful Sallah. May this season renew our collective hope, strengthen our unity, and inspire us all to work toward a better, more inclusive Nigeria,” he added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
