Governors and a renowned Islamic Scholar and leader of the Tijjjaniya Sect, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, have called on Muslims to use the Maulud period to offer prayers to God for guidance to leaders as well as peaceful and successful 2023 general elections.
The cleric while addressing the Muslim faithful during the 2022 Eid-el Maulud celebration said it was a period for sober reflection and devotion as well as an avenue to preach love, patience, peace, and the fear of Allah.
He was represented by his eldest son, Ibrahim, at the event held yesterday in Bauchi to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In his remark at the event, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed urged religious leaders to stop castigating and criticising leaders without reasons before their followers.
It said such unnecessary criticisms had negative effects on the leaders and the citizens.
In a statement he later issued, Mohammed warned that the government would not condone any act capable of causing rancour and disorder.
He said his government, in collaboration with security agencies, had taken all measures to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.
In his own message, the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, called for increased love and more understanding among Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs.
The governor, in a statement, said the country would continue to develop and grow if the citizens displayed love and understanding among themselves and the government.
“The Prophet was a man of peace and he shared the message of love and peace through the religion of Islam throughout his lifetime,” he said.
Also, the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, enjoined Muslims to use the occasion to get closer to Allah in words and deeds.
Umahi also admonished them to use the occasion as a period of rejuvenation and revaluation of love and peaceful coexistence among all human beings, adding that it was a period of soul-searching and thanksgiving.
In his message, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State felicitated Muslims in the state and beyond on the occasion.
He told them to imbibe the spirit of mutual love and understanding as preached by Prophet Mohammed
In his own message, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, called on Muslims to adhere strictly to the virtues of Prophet Muhammad and charged government at all levels to redouble their efforts towards addressing the security challenges, reduce poverty and stem the rising menace of out-of-school children.
From Hassan Ibrahim (Bauchi), Amina Abdullahi (Yola), Nabob Ogbonna (Abakiliki), Jude Aguguo Owuamanam (Owerri), Usman A. Bello (Benin)
