Atiku, Ayu, Anyim, Ask Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Show Love to All

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

As the world celebrates Christmas today to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, Nigerians have been urged to embrace peace and unity at this period, and to love one another for the sake of progress and growth in the country.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a Christmas message released by his Media Office in Abuja, called on Nigerians to unite for the greater good of Nigeria.

The statement partly reads: “I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly the Christian faithful on the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.

“Christmas is a time of love, therefore, I call on all Nigerians to emulate the essence of this season and unite for the greater good of our dear country.

“Christmas is the season of love, joy, generosity and forgiveness and while we celebrate with family and friends, we should also spend time to pray for a more peaceful and prosperous nation as it is important for Nigerians to inject the healing and unifying serum of love for our neighbours into the nation’s consciousness, this Yuletide.

“As a nation, we can achieve more if we stay united, extend hands of fellowship to one another and be law abiding. We must also rededicate ourselves to the virtues of faith in God, love for one another and make these virtues more evident and practical in our daily living.

“As we also look ahead to a better 2022, let us not relent in praying to God to restore peace and all-round development and progress in our country Nigeria,” added the Wazirin Adamawa.

Atiku reminded Nigerians that the revival of the country’s glory is everyone’s responsibility and urged citizens to be intentional in thinking good thoughts and sowing better seeds of harmony and unity in diversity; actions that would make Nigeria greater today and in the future.

“We cannot move forward as a country until we all realise that we are first Nigerians, before our religious beliefs, ethnic identities, political leanings and cultural affiliations and as such, we must show respect for one another by living in peace.

“As we celebrate, we should continue to extend hands of love and fellowship to our neighbours and live as one big family, irrespective of our social, political and religious leanings and continue to trust God for a better tomorrow and a greater country,” he said.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, in his Christmas message, charged Nigerians to keep hope alive in spite of daunting circumstances.

Ayu said although the Christmas season symbolises love, hope, sharing, celebration and thanksgiving, the gloomy economic situation has made it very difficult.

“Do not lose hope, Nigerians: the good days are coming back,” he said, adding “Nigerians love themselves. Nigerians love life. We love to share, to celebrate. And that’s the spirit of Christmas. But life under the APC has made such extremely difficult.

“Nigerians cannot travel. Even basic food items are no more affordable. Nigerians cannot live in peace. Nigerians cannot reconnect with friends and family. All these because of a collapsed economy, rampaging insecurity and a government that is notorious for incompetence and insensitivity.”

“But I charge Nigerians not to lose hope. Keep hope alive. There is life beyond the APC gloom. The day will break after this long night. Do not let the sorry state of the nation dampen the Christmas spirit,” he added.

Ayu further urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of Christ such as godliness, love, humility, kindness as well as selflessness, and see how these can be harnessed for national rebirth.

The PDP National Chairman also appealed to Nigerians to use the season to reflect on the sorry state of the fatherland, and to decide on deliberate actions in the New Year, saying: “Prayers are good, but 2022 must be our year of democratic action, the ultimate year being 2023.”

On his part, former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has stated that the problems facing Nigeria do not define it and its citizens.

He stated that the events of 2021 may have been challenging but praised the resilient spirit of Nigerians in overcoming them.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, said this in a Christmas message to Nigerians, expressing his hopes for a better 2022.

The statement reads: “We all started this year 2021 with high hopes and expectations. Naturally, as individuals, families, communities and indeed a country, we will retain memories of good and not too good experiences in one area of our lives or another in the year 2021.

“However, whatever may have come our way this year, we must give thanks to God for sparing our lives.

“For our country, the challenges we have faced in 2021 may have been daunting. We may have been stretched almost beyond limits in every facet of life