By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Muslim and Christian clerics under the umbrella of the Interfaith Mission for Unity and Progress of Nigeria (IMUPN), have held an Interdenominational prayer session in honour of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, where they gave him a pass mark.

According to the clerics, the decision to mark the one year anniversary of conducting the 2023 elections with prayers, was basically to thank God for keeping Nigeria as a united country after going through an election year.

The prayers held simultaneously across the six geo-political zones was held at Kano, Ibadan, Porthacourt, Yobe, Plateau, Enugu  was to encourage the INEC Chairman ,Prof Mahmood Yakubu to do more in future  elections.

“As clerics we are duty bound to pray  for the peaceful coexistence of our dear country and leaders as well , thus we singled out the Chairman for conducting the election against all odds,” they stated.

In a five-point communique issued after the conclusion of the two-day prayers with the theme: ” Let’s Work Together to Make Nigeria a Better Country”,

the Interfaith Mission for Unity and Progress of Nigeria stated that ,”at this critical  period of dearth of  leadership, we have reached a point where we must seek God’s intervention and guidance for a solid sustainable electoral process that will produce visionary and credible political leaders across all tiers of government.”

The clerics in the communique jointly signed by Mallam Uzairu Bamalli; Sheikh Sabiu Jaafar, Sheikh Mohammed Musa and Reverend Pius Garba; Pastor John Anekwe and Pastor Lazarus Adesami, also underscored the need for Muslims and Christians as well as people of other religions to pray for the country’s leaders.

 They stated  that since only God puts leaders in their positions, they need to be supported always, especially with prayers.

While commending the  INEC boss for conducting one of the most peaceful elections in recent time, the clerics  scored the 2023 election  process high because of the good number of opposition parties that won some critical seats and  states.

“It is our joy that all the threats and  predictions against our unity didn’t come to pass. Instead we are waxing stronger as an independent nation,” they added.

They prayed  to God to grant Nigeria  economic prosperity and  offered prayers for peace and tranquility during the future elections.