Easter: APGA, NNPP preach peace, reconciliation

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to demonstrate true commitment to unity.

The parties in their separate messages also urged the citizens to shun all divisive tendencies threatening national coexistence.

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The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Oye, on Saturday in a message said Easter, which was a commemoration of resurrection of Jesus Christ, was another opportunity for all to take a look at their lives and their relationship with one another.

He said Jesus Christ laid down his life to reconcile humanity with God, so they could live in abundance.

Oye, said that the prevailing political tension, insecurity and economic hardship were products of hatred, greed and mutual distrust, and that it was time Nigerians talked to one another in the interest of our nation and its people.

He said, “I must thank God for sparing our lives and making us witness yet another Easter. I also want to congratulate Nigerians on the occasion of Jesus Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. It is only for the grace of God that we are alive.

“On this occasion, I want to call for national reconciliation, we must jettison sectional and religious proclivities and talk to one another as Nigerians with true love, compassion and empathy with the aim of addressing our challenges.”

Oye urged Nigerians to embrace fair play and tolerance instead of intimidation, brigandage and animosity to reign as the country goes into the 2023 elections.

In a separate statement, National Publicity Secretary, NNPP, Ambassador Agbo Major, urged Christians to imbibe and demonstrate the love, peace, humility and sacrifice which Easter symbolizes.

“Christians should also use the occasion to pray for the nation. It is obvious that the state of the nation is bad and demands the collective efforts of patriotic Nigerians to redirect the ship of the nation from its perilous course.

“All Nigerians want a new Nigeria which only New Nigeria People’s Party will usher in, in 2023. The party welcomes millions of citizens who have recently joined NNPP and more willing to embark with us in the task of building a strong, virile, stable, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and decent democratic nation.

“NNPP condemns the recent attacks on a chieftain of the party in Oyo State, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan and his supporters shortly after they dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state on 11th April. It is outrageous, barbaric, despicable and wicked to attack innocent Nigerians for exercising their political freedom as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended,” Major said.

He urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate the attack and bring to justice the perpetrators and their sponsors to serve as a deterrent to others as the nation gears towards the crucial 2023 general elections.

“We must restore sanity in our national life and crush terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping. This is not who we are. It is the outcome of inept, clueless and insensitive leadership. It is time for a change of government at all levels,” he said.