At Sallah, Sultan, Sanusi, Ganduje Preach Unity  

By Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

As Nigerians celebrate Eid Kabir festival across the nation yesterday, religious and political leaders have appealed for unity and love in the country amid mounting tension.

In his Sallah message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar called on youths to shun hate utterances capable of plunging the country into chaos, saying Nigerians have the right to live anywhere without molestation.

He also said despite agitations by some groups in some parts of the country, Nigeria will not break up.

In his message to the Muslim ummah in his palace in Sokoto, the monarch said the call became necessary in view of the tension that emanated as a result of such “unguarded utterances.”

He emphasised that hate speeches would only create chaos and endanger the lives of all Nigerians.

The Sultan stated that no progress and development could be attained in an atmosphere of violence.

The monarch maintained that nobody has the right to issue quit notice or compel any Nigerian to vacate any region in the country.

He commended the efforts of the federal government and northern elders in dousing the tension in the polity, following the quit notice issued to Igbos by Arewa youths to vacate the north.

“I want to draw the attention of our youths across the country on the need to shun hate speech and utterances capable of inciting people to violence. We should be patient and respect one another irrespective of culture and religion.

“Nobody has the right to issue ultimatum to any Nigerian to vacate his region. God joined us together in one country and nobody can separate us.”

He called on Muslims especially those residing in the north to continue to live in peace with adherents of other faiths and ethnic groups in order for peace to reign in the polity 

In Kano, the Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi II led thousands of Muslims for Eid Kabir prayers that took place at Kofar Mata Eid Ground. 

The emir called on Nigerians to stop the habit of spreading rumours in the society, while praying for the sustenance of peace and unity of the country.

Sanusi said: “I must stress the need for people of the state to shun rumour mongering and acts capable of causing misunderstanding and ill feelings especially among the leaders of the state.” 

The Emir prayed for bumper harvest in the state, after charging unemployed youths to engage in useful venture in order to the development of the country. 

Those that attended the prayer at the Kofar Mata Central Eid ground included Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Alhaji, and other top government functionaries. 

Ganduje called Nigerians to be security conscious during and after the festive period.

He said though, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had recorded impressive success in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges, there was the need for the people to remain extra vigilant and conscious of suspicious movements during and after the festivities.

The Governor also urged Muslims to emulate the dedication and total submission of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismai’l, who were ready to undertake Allah’s command for the sacrifice of the latter, before a ram was brought as a replacement by Angel Jibril on Allah’s command.

Ganduje also prayed for the safe return of pilgrims who went to Hajj, just as he called for continuous prayers and support for President Buhari, who just returned from London, on medical vacation.

He however, emphasized the determination of his administration to continue to improve the wellbeing of the people through policies and projects with direct impact on the lives of the people.

Related Articles