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•We’re all responsible for Nigeria’s security, president says
By Our reporters
President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, serving and former governors, religious leaders, political figures, and notable organisations, in the message on the 2026 Eid-el-Fitri, have urged Nigerians to embrace unity, vigilance and compassion as the bedrock of national survival.
Tinubu, who spoke to reporters after Eid-el-Fitr prayers at Dodan Barracks Eid ground yesterday, called for sustained peace and vigilance across Nigeria, stressing that national stability is a collective duty amid fragile global tensions. He urged citizens to embody Ramadan and Lent’s lessons of patience, tolerance, and neighbourliness as nation-building cornerstones.
“I pray for peace in the country. The stability, peace and security of the nation are not just one man’s responsibility. We are all involved. Report suspicious movements of people across the length and breadth of the country. These are our responsibilities too. The focus of all religions in the country remains the worship of one God… The task of nation-building is collective, inclusive and shared by all Nigerians,” he said.
Reflecting on his UK visit with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Tinubu framed it as showcasing Nigeria’s global economic rise and interfaith tolerance.
Deputy governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, affirmed the state’s prayers for national peace and thanked Tinubu for his support.
Leading the prayers, Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Alhaji Sulaiman Oluwatoyoyin Abou-Nolla, preached on enduring Ramadan virtues of penitence and piety amid global unrest.
Tinubu was joined by National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; former governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola, associates, and family.
In the same vein, Vice President Kashim Shettima, shortly after performing his eid prayers with thousands of Muslims at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri, Borno State, called for unity of all Nigerians to tackle common problem of insecurity and under development in the country. He observed the eid prayer with Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, some National Assembly members, and top government officials amid tight security.
Sokoto State governor, Ahmed Aliyu, urged Muslims to sustain the spirit of charity demonstrated during Ramadan by continuing to support internally displaced persons (IDPs). He added that 100 houses have already been constructed for displaced persons at Illela Local Government Area.
Also, the President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, in a goodwill message to the Muslim communities in Nigeria on the Eid al-Fitr, asked Nigerians of all faith to push for a country founded on justice, truth, and mutual respect.
Bauchi State governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed, in a goodwill message sent through Muktar Gidado, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to unity, as he noted the tradition of peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and religious groups in the state.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, also felicitated Muslim faithful on the Eid-el-Fitr. She called on residents to uphold the spirit of unity, faith, and compassion imbibed during the Ramadan fast. The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Prof. Stephen Adegbite, in a message released in Abuja, on Friday by Celestine Toruka, the Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations of the commission, felicitated the Muslim communities in Nigeria on the Eid-el-Fitri. He admonished Muslims to embrace dialogue against confrontation, uphold President Bola Tinubu in prayer, pray for the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections, and join hands with the Federal Government to fight banditry, insurgency, and terrorism.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, in his goodwill message via his verified ‘X’ handle on Friday, extended warm greetings to Muslim faithful on the occasion Eid el-Fitr. He described it as a period characterised by faith, sacrifice, discipline, and compassion. He urged Muslims to sustain the virtues imbibed during the fasting period.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, who addressed journalists at the Government House, Gusau, yesterday, called for peace, unity social cohesion among Muslim and Christian faithful, residing in the state. The governor, represented by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, appealed for continued prayers while congratulating the Muslim faithful on the completion of the fasting period.
Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, yesterday, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Emmanuel Bello, urged Muslim Ummah in the state to imbibe the pursuit of peace and unity for the common good of the state as Muslim around the world celebrated Eid-el-Fitr. Similarly, the immediate past Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Prof Joseph Kunini also extended warm felicitation to Muslim Ummah.
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The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, saluted Muslims in the country on the Eid-el-Fitr, noting that the lessons of Ramadan should inspire unity, compassion, and a renewed commitment to building a better country.
The Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP) identified with Muslims on the Eid-el-Fitri. It noted that the prayers of Nigerians for an end to bad governance in the country would not be in vain.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has extended warm Eid-el-Fitr greetings to Abuja residents, particularly the Muslim community, while calling for sustained peace and unity as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections. In a message, which he personally signed, he urged all and sundry to carry forward the values of compassion, forgiveness, and unity that Ramadan embodies.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Christian leaders from Southern Kaduna attended this year’s Eid prayer ground held at Murtala Mohammed Square, to congratulate Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan. Pastor (Dr.) Yohanna Buru, a prominent Christian cleric in Kaduna, led the delegation. He said the visit was aimed at strengthening relationships and fostering peaceful coexistence among different religions.
He noted that similar gestures are often reciprocated during Christian celebrations such as Christmas, when many Muslims such as Sunni, Shia, and Tijaniyya and other sect usually join Christians in marking the birth of Jesus Christ.
In a related development, Reverend Danjuma Mazadu with Rev. Simon Jatau, of Bishara Baptist Church, Kasuwan Magani, also visited the Kasuwar Magani Eid prayer ground from Southern Kaduna to congratulate Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan. In his response, Sheikh Halliru Maraya commended the Christian clerics for visiting them at the Eid praying ground.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, during an interview with journalists at his Bodija residence in Ibadan on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri, cautioned politicians and stakeholders against the use of religion as a tool for political mobilisation, declaring that the nation must rise above divisive tendencies as it approaches another election cycle.
Meanwhile, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, in his Sallah message, delivered by his deputy, Adebayo Lawal, at the Eid Ground, Agodi, Ibadan, shortly after the Eid prayers, urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of humility, kindness and forgiveness cultivated during the Ramadan period.
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo, in a statement on Friday signed by Mr. Kolade Umoru, the institute’s Head, Information and Public Relations, enjoined Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful to use the Eid-el-Fitr to uphold values of unity, integrity, discipline and diligence in advancing justice administration and nation building.
Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens and residents, including the Muslim community in the state, when he hosted a delegation of the Muslim Ummah, who paid Sallah homage to him. The body was led by Alhaji Nasir Uhor, Vice President-General of the Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday, congratulated Muslims across the country on the Eid-el-Fitri The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, urged Nigerians of all faith to work towards unity and progress of Nigeria.
Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Bauchi State chapter, also sent greetings to the government and people of the state on the 2026 Eid el-Fitr. The state chairman of CCN, Rev’d (Prof) Collins David, prayed for harmony, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.
In his sallah message, Minister of Works, David Umahi, reiterated the commitment of the work ministry in delivering critical infrastructure that connects the people, strengthens economic growth, and improved quality of life for all Nigerians.
The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in his sallah greetings in Abuja yesterday, rejoiced with Muslims across the country on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri. He charged them to continue to honour the values of discipline, self-denial, purity, sacrifices and anti-corruption, which the Ramadan season exemplified.
The Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, noted that the values of sacrifice, compassion, tolerance, and selflessness exemplified during Ramadan are essential for building a peaceful, united, and prosperous society.
Beue State governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, on the Eid-el-Fitr, emphasised Ramadan’s spiritual lessons and the Holy Prophet’s teachings of love, justice, fairness, equity, peaceful co-existence with others, tolerance, honesty and dedication to duty. Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, in his Eid el-Fitr message, urged Nigerians to avoid divisive tendencies and uphold the virtue of unity for the country, as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), in a special Eid-el-Fitr message, issued by Adedayo Oketola, his
Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, called on the commission’s nationwide workforce and the Nigerian public to translate the discipline of the Holy Month of Ramadan into a renewed commitment to electoral integrity.
The Zamfara state chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the chairmanship Alhaji Kabiru Garba congratulated Muslim Ummah on the Eid-il-Fitr. The party called on leaders at all levels to reflect deeply on the lessons of Ramadan.
