POLITICAL leaders and parties in the     country have congratulated Muslims on the celebration of the Eid-el-Fitri which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State, however, warned that his administration would not condone any act capable of breaching the peace by any segment of the society.

Sambo spoke against the backdrop of weekend’s bloody clash between the police and members of the Shiites Muslim group in Zaria during which three persons were killed and four others injured. Sambo said Nigerians should live in peace with one another warning that his government would not tolerate any skirmishes at this point in time. He asked security agents to continue to be vigilant  to ensure that there is peaceful co-existence among the people.

Also the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) urged Muslims to use the occasion of the celebration to exorcise the entrenched spirit of “the Nigerian factor” which it said is the bane of the country.

The ACF said that “while wealth may be preferred over poverty, being rich where majority of the people suffer medieval poverty and eternal subjugation does not fulfill the common vision of the good life in accordance with the teaching of Islam and other religions.

It said: “As a religion of peace, Islam sturdily upholds sacred inviolability of the individuals and, therefore, nudges up the faithful to be in the vanguard for the campaigns aimed at engendering a peaceful, relative pluralism which often comes with a nation that is socially diverse, economically empowered and politically active.

While wishing the Muslim community in the country a fruitful celebration, the ACF’s fervent prayer is that the denials, privations, leveling of status and supplications during Ramadan would excoriate and exorcise the entrenched spirit of the Nigerian factor from the polity.”

Governor Olugbenga Daniel of Ogun State urged Muslims Ummah and Nigerians to make peace, the essence of Islam, to reflect in all their dealings after the Ramadan period.

Daniel in a message to Nigerian Muslims on their successful completion of the Ramadan, said, “One of the main reasons for the fasting is to bring humanity closer to the creator.

We should continue with the same piety, love for the less privileged and prayers for the good of our country which we exhibited during the period. Our words and deeds should reflect the spiritual renewal that we went through during Ramadan”.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State urged political leaders to sustain the lessons of Ramadan by rendering selfless services to the electorate so as to sustain the nation’s democracy.

He said: “This Eidel Fitri allows us another opportunity for sober reflection and supplication to Allah on behalf of the state and the nation. We have to sustain the lessons of Ramadan, especially goodwill to all, charity, inter-faith harmony and obedience to Allah.

In particular, our leaders at all levels need to appreciate their responsibilities as the guardians and custodians of the welfare and interest of the common people.”

Governor Christopher Alao-Akala of Oyo State enjoined Muslims all over the country to allow the teachings and lessons of the Ramadan period, which emphasize peace, love and obedience to constituted authorities to continue to reflect in their lives.

This, according to the governor, will ensure that benefits and blessings from Allah will not only be fully realized but remain permanent in their lives to promote peaceful co-existence in the society.