Democracy Day: Shettima calls for peace, says Tinubu committed

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday, led a special Jummah prayer at the National Mosque in Abuja, as part of activities marking this year’s June 12 Democracy Day, declared by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and urged Nigerians to pray for peace and unity.

According to a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, speaking shortly after the service, Shettima said President Tinubu “remains committed to restoring peace and stability in the nation,” and asked citizens to support that effort through prayers.

“I want to assure Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment towards restoring peace and stability in the nation,” he said.

“No matter how long the night is; it must give way to the light of dawn. Stormy as the weather may be, it will not rain forever. The government remains irrevocably committed to restoring peace and stability in the nation,” the vice president added.

Shettima also assured Nigerians that the government was working to secure the safe return of children and other citizens held by bandits and terrorists, and acknowledged the sacrifices of those who safeguarded the country’s democracy.

Earlier in his sermon, the Imam of the National Mosque, Haroun Eze, called on Nigerians to remain patriotic and steadfast in defending the nation. He appealed to leaders at all levels to take decisive action to address security challenges and ensure peace, which he described as essential for national development and citizens’ well being.

The event drew a cross section of political and government figures. Those who joined the vice president included the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and others.