Presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians irrespective of their tribal or religious sentiments to love one another as Christians in the country prepare to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ.
The former vice-president who stated this in his Christmas message to the country said there are too much divisions in the country, and that it is up to Nigerians to inject the healing and unifying serum of love for each other into the nation’s consciousness this Christmas.
“Seeing that the essence of Christmas is that Christ came to earth to reconcile us to God, should we not, as beneficiaries of such divine reconciliation, reciprocate it by being reconciled with each other during this Yuletide period and beyond?”
“We may be Muslim, Christian or traditional religion adherents. But we are all creatures of God deserving of the love of God and of our neighbours. Let that be the attitude we embrace this Christmas and beyond.”
The Waziri of Adamawa also urged Nigerians to spare a thought for the country’s military and security forces who are on the frontlines on the war on terror.
“I urge all Nigerians to think about these heroes who make the relative peace we live in possible. They endure so that we all can enjoy. Because they gave their all, we all have some peace. So, when next you see a soldier, boost his or her morale by acknowledging their sacrifices and thanking them. Nigeria owes so much to the gallant officers and the men and women of our armed forces.”
According to him, these soldiers epitomized the spirit of Christmas, which is sacrificial giving. “Let us also celebrate the sacrifice our armed forces make for Nigeria,” he said.