Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has enjoined Muslims to pray for the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
Akpabio gave the advice at the Ramadan Iftar dinner for All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidates at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Saturday.
The Iftar was organised by the Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari for the aspirants to share love and happiness with one another in the spirit of Ramadan and in a quest for nation building.
Recall that the First Lady sent out invitation to all presidential aspirants of different political parties, ministers, governors and some other personalities for the dinner.
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Akpabio, writing on his Facebook page on Sunday, said ”Last night, I attended the Ramadan Iftar at the State House, Abuja, on the invitation of our First Lady, Her Excellency, Hajia Aisha Muhammadu Buhari.
”In my speech at the event, I urged Nigerians particularly, our Muslim brothers and sisters to use the last 10 days of the fast to pray for the unity, peace and progress of our dear country. I also urged them to pray for our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari and all other leaders at all levels of governance.’’
At the event, Aisha Buhari urged political parties to always consider women as running mates to candidates contesting elections into various positions across the country.
She said fair-play for women in politics was to ensure their greater participation in elective positions.
“In fact, it is high time women are adopted as running mates at all levels considering their voting strength and active involvement in political processes.
“As we approach the 2023 election with greater hope, I am confident that Nigeria will continue to grow from strength to strength on the pedestal of our democratic tenets,” she said.
The first lady enjoined the presidential hopefuls to remain focused on issues that strengthened the nation`s unity, brotherhood and national cohesion.
Buhari, however, reminded her guests that, the 2015 election was a watershed in the history of Nigeria.
“It was neither contested in the court of law, nor in the court of public opinion.
“Therefore, the greatest end-of-tenure gift that fellow Nigerians can give to the first family is another free and globally-acknowledged fair election come 2023,’’ she appealed.
She urged all the aspirants to ensure tolerance, fair-play and avoid violent tendencies by building bridges where necessary, especially during electioneering campaigns.
On his part, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, represented by a former Edo Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, urged all aspirants to play politics without bitterness.
Osinbajo said the event offered Nigerians from different faiths and background the opportunity to reunite with one another to foster unity.
“It is an opportunity for aspirants from various political parties to meet one another and the lesson we should learn from here is to practise politics without bitterness as we move closer to election year.
“We should try to imbibe the spirit of oneness because at the end of the only one person is going to emerge winner of the Presidential election next year.
“So, it is not going to be do-or-die affairs, we should learn to practise politics without bitterness,’’ he said.
One of the APC aspirants and former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, expressed gratitude to the first lady for bringing the diverse groups of Nigerians to share love and unity.
Tinubu, however, prayed for brotherliness, peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.
On his part, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and APC aspirant, expressed appreciation to the first lady for bringing the presidential aspirants together to foster unity and nation cohesion.
“I must also thank you because this should be about our nation, about our patriotism, we should always place our nation above our individual interests.
“As we have aspired to lead this nation, I think that Nigerians should be able to evaluate, is not going to be promises, is going to be ticking the box.
“The opportunity given to us as leaders, what did we do with it, so, this kind of gathering is highly encouraged because it is going to douse a lot of tensions,’’ he said.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and PDP presidential aspirant, said the gathering was historic going by the calibre of people in attendance.
Mohammed promised to play the game with humility and mutual respect.
“I promise to do the politicking with the interest of Nigeria in my mind, respect for one another irrespective of our party differences,’’ he said.
The dinner was also attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i, one-time National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; as well as oil and gas mogul, Tein Jack-Rich.
