Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governors Ben Ayade (Cross River), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and the Bayelsa State government have felicitated Muslims on the celebration of this year’s Mawlid Nabbiyy, the birth of Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW).
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Niger State, Mallam Umar Bago, and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also sent warm greeting to the Muslim Ummah. In a message at the weekend, Atiku, who is the Wazirin Adamawa, said: “On behalf of my family and my team, I wish to felicitate with you on this joyous occasion of Mawlid Nabbiyy in commemoration of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW) PBUH.
“As we all celebrate today, I enjoin all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to reflect on the significance of this day. The Holy Prophet’s life on earth exemplified the virtues of peace, love and patience, which are necessary virtues for us to cohabit in a diverse nation like ours.
“And as we are on the threshold of a historic decision that will shape the future of our great country, I will urge you to join hands in the task to rescue, unify, reposition and build the Nigeria of our dreams where all will live in peace, irrespective of faith, creed, tribe or political affiliation.
Read Also: Wike’s group to boycott Atiku’s campaign inauguration
“Congratulations and happy Maulud Nabbiyy!”
In statement in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, Governor Ayade said: “…We remain committed to a peaceful Nigeria, despite our challenges. Please, let us continue to be our brother’s keeper, which is the focal agenda of this administration.
“It is as a result of my desire to ensure inclusiveness that my administration appointed over 40 Muslim community members into my government, including Exco ranking appointments.”
Umahi, who called for tolerance and peace among Ebonyi State residents in a statement by his media aide Chooks Oko, noted that the occasion “is the marking of the birthday of a most great personality that stands for love, peace and tolerance and as such should be a period for us to ask ourselves if we are living according to his dictates”.
In his goodwill message, Governor Ugwuanyi said: “May this milestone celebration bring us all the peace, hope and fulfillment our country needs to forge ahead.”
Bala Mohammed said: “Leaders carry a degree of responsibility to their followers. They are often the target of criticism.
“Religious leaders should continue to pray for those in position of authority. Prayers can change negative developments.”
In a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Minna, the Nigeri State capital, Bago saluted the Muslim Ummah across the globe on the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).