Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan greets supporters at a ceremony in Abuja on November 11, 2014. Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on November 11 declared his bid for re-election, vowing to finally defeat Boko Haram whose rise in strength during his first term has threatened the country’s sovereignty. The 56-year-old made the announcement to tens of thousands of supporters in the red, white and green of his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at a carefully orchestrated ceremony including patriotic music, dancing, prayers and speeches. AFP PHOTO
President Goodluck Jonathan has felicitated with Muslims across the country as they join their counterparts around the world to commemorate Eid-el-Maulud (the birth of Prophet Muhammad) on Friday.
Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said this is in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
President Jonathan, according to Abati, urged all adherents of Islam in the country to use the occasion to offer special prayers at Jumat (Friday worship) for the success of the forthcoming general elections.
He said: “the President reassures Muslims and all other Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure that the general elections in February are credible and violence-free.
“Jonathan believes that this is essential to ensure that Nigeria remains politically stable and continues on a steady path to the fulfilment of its peoples’ collective vision of a strong, united and prosperous nation.”
Abati said that President Jonathan called on Muslims to seize the opportunity of the New Year and Eid-el-Maulud holidays to deeply reflect on the need for greater application of the prophet’s teachings.
The teachings, according to him, border on piety, charity, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence with others in the collective effort to overcome current national challenges.
“Jonathan assures the Muslims and other Nigerians that his administration will continue to be guided by the ideals of fairness, equity and justice for all in its leadership of the country.
“He also assures them that on his watch as President, no Nigerian will ever be discriminated against on the basis of religion, ethnicity or social standing.
“The President reaffirms his personal commitment to working diligently and tirelessly to ensure the successful implementation of Federal Government’s agenda for national transformation.
“To this end, he urges Muslims and all other Nigerians to support the continuation of the present administration’s efforts to build a better nation,’’ the President’s aide said.
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