Moslem group links peaceful elections to prayers, Fulani leader says it is a sign of better Nigeria

THE Kwara State Moslem Stakeholders, a forum representing Moslem leaders in all the 16 local councils of the state, has attributed the success of last presidential election to the fervent prayers of all religious leaders in the country.

The group, yesterday in a statement signed by the former Secretary-General, Jama’atu Nasri-I-Islam (JNI), Justice Abdulkadir Orire, also advised the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to justify the confidence reposed in him by leading with fear of God bearing in mind that the expectations of Nigerians are high.

Besides, the group expressed joy with the peaceful conduct of last month’s election and thanked the Almighty Allah for allowing the election to go on without rancour and acrimony despite the prediction that Nigeria may cease to exist as a result of the election.

In another development, Chairman of the Association of Fulani Chiefs of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammed Bambado, has described the election of the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Buhari, as a sign of a better Nigeria where economy, security and power supply will be given priority.

Bambado, who stated this in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday, urged Nigerians to be patient with Buhari in accomplishing his mission for the country.

According to him: “This is a very good sign of a better Nigeria. The Buhari administration will be focused, transparent and all encompassing. Nigerians can be rest assured that he will not disappoint them individually or collectively.

“As you all have demonstrated in the March 28 presidential election, which had been adjudged locally and internationally as peaceful and fair, we the kinsmen of the President-elect in the South-West strongly hold that your clamour and desire for this change will not fail.”

Justice Orire, who is the pioneer Grand Khadi, Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, also prayed that the forthcoming governorship and state Assembly elections holding in many states of the federation are conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

He further said: “As the presidential election has come and gone with the emergence of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the President-elect, we call for continued calm and sustenance of peace and stability in the country.

“We urge the President-elect to see his victory as Divine. It is never by his making but by the decree of Almighty Allah.

“Gen. Buhari should strive to unite Nigerians and run his government without ethnic, tribal or religious sentiment. He should appoint people with competence and proven integrity in his government to drive his policies and programmes.

“We equally commend President Goodluck Jonathan for the heroic concession of victory to Gen. Buhari hours before the final declaration of results by INEC. This singular action by the President has made him a hero not only in Nigeria but Africa and the entire world. He has not only doused tension in the country but has also deepened the country’s democracy and ranked us high in the comity of advanced nations of the world. We pray Almighty Allah to continue to be with the President in his future endeavours.”