The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Saturday called for an end to political, religious, and ethnic biases in the country, urging Nigerians to use the Easter period to show love and forgiveness.
He stated that doing so would unite the people for “the progress and general well-being of the nation.”
Akpabio, who also reacted to the killings across the country, appealed to the perpetrators to respect the sacredness of human life and allow peace to reign.
In an Easter message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President said, “While I congratulate the Christian faithful for successfully completing the 40-day Lenten fast and now celebrating another Easter, I wish to appeal that we all show love to one another irrespective of ethnic, religious, or political affiliation.
“I also urge our Christian brothers and sisters to emulate Jesus Christ’s spirit of humility, love, and sacrifice. We are all created in the image of God Almighty, and nothing should make us discriminate against another human being.
“For those who have taken to killing fellow human beings, maiming others, and destroying property, I appeal that they respect the sacredness of human life. Easter is a period of love, and I hope the atmosphere that permeates this season will cause them to jettison their evil ways, turn a new leaf, and embrace peace.
“I encourage all Nigerians to use the occasion of this Easter celebration to reach out to those in need, especially victims of the senseless killings across the nation. May we never be tired of sharing and making sacrifices for one another.”
Akpabio also urged Christians not to relent in their prayers after Easter but to continue seeking God’s intervention in the affairs of the nation.
“Continue to offer prayers for leaders at every level in the country, and with God helping us, our nation will be better off,” he added.
On his part, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, enjoined Nigerians to pray for compassionate leaders who share in their pains.
“At Easter, what Christians celebrate is the huge sacrifice Jesus Christ made for mankind.
“Therefore, there is no better time to pray for tender-hearted and caring leaders for our country than at Easter, when we see in Jesus a remarkable, compassionate leader,” he stated in a message released by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) on Saturday.
Obi further noted, “What is apparent in Nigeria today, as insecurity and myriad problems engulf the land, is a visible abdication of responsibility by insensitive and indifferent leaders.
“Nigeria deserves better leadership than it is currently receiving to turn the natural and human capital gifts from God into benefits for the populace.”
In the statement, which was signed by the POMR spokesman, Mr Ibrahim Umar, the 2023 LP presidential candidate urged fellow Nigerians and the Obedient families “never to despair in the face of any tribulations because our Redeemer is living and active.”
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