The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar has called on the Muslim Ummah to fervently pray for the successful handover of power to the incoming administration.
Abubakar made the appeal while addressing his subjects shortly after the two Raka’at prayers at the Bida Eid praying ground on Friday.
He noted that fervent and ceaseless prayers would ensure a peaceful and smooth transition of power to the incoming administration.
The Etsu Nupe also appealed to the faithful to use the period to pray for leaders at all levels for the growth and development of the country.
According to Abubakar, there is a need for Muslims to offer special prayers for the incoming administration for God Almighty to guide and guard them to deliver to the people the much-needed dividends of democracy.
The first-class royal father also stressed the need for Muslims to sustain the good lessons learned during the holy month of Ramadan for sustainable peace and unity in the country.
He listed the virtues to include piety, patience, worship of the Almighty Allah, philanthropy and love for one another.
The traditional ruler also called on Nigerians to live in peace with one another to foster peace and national unity.
He underscored the need for Nigerians to ensure peaceful co-existence in the country to achieve economic growth and development.
According to him, no society or country can achieve any meaningful development or greatness in an atmosphere of chaos and mistrust.
Besides, Abubakar urged privileged Muslims to continue to support the indigent in society to alleviate their sufferings.
“I want to use this occasion to call on wealthy individuals to continue to support the poor so as to alleviate their sufferings in the society,’’ he said.
The traditional ruler also enjoined Muslims to have the fear of God in all their activities, reminding them that “we all have to give an account of our deeds one day to our creator”.
He further appealed to Muslims to intensify prayers during the period for the return of permanent peace in Nigeria.
According to him, prayers remain the most effective weapon against any form of challenge.
He said security challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping would be overcome through ceaseless and fervent prayers by both Muslim and Christian faithful.
The royal father urged Muslims to always follow the path of dialogue in resolving differences, rather than advocating for violence.
Abubakar, who congratulated the faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, added that only tolerance and patriotism would help the country sail through its present situation.
The Chief Imam of Bida, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, in his sermon, advised Muslims to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan.
He called on those who prayed and fasted for the 29 days to internalise and practice the social and moral objectives of the holy month of Ramadan.
