As Christians around the world marked Christmas Day on Monday, the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party clashed on the state of the nation and the condition in which Nigerians marked the festive period.
The opposition PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, attacked the APC government led by President Bola Tinubu, saying its policies had plunged the majority of Nigerians into poverty, thus denying the opportunity to enjoy Christmas.
The opposition party also urged Nigerians not to succumb to despondency but to use the occasion and essence of Christmas to offer prayers as well as renew their hope and trust in the divine intervention of God in the affairs of the nation.
PDP said, “The Tinubu-led APC administration has so further mismanaged and wreaked the nation’s economy and social life with its self-serving and oppressive policies such that millions of Nigerians families are economically stranded, socially dislocated and can no longer afford their daily meals and other necessities of life, especially at this festive period.
“Our party is grieved that while families in other climes and nations are celebrating with joy, Nigerians are observing Christmas in hunger and misery because of the anti-people policies of the APC administration.
“The major opposition party charged the National Assembly to be on the side of the people by cutting all provisions for luxury items in the budget and channeling such funds to sectors that have a direct bearing on the wellbeing of Nigerians. “
But in quick response, the APC described the PDP as a disillusioned party seeking recognition.
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, urged Nigerians to be champions of peace and promote reconciliation and unity among one another.
CAN said Nigerians must continue to look out for what unites, rather than divide, the nation.
Okoh said, “During this season, we are reminded to seek to be more like Jesus by reaching out to our neighbours with words of peace. In a diverse country like Nigeria, characterised by multiple ethnicities and religions, we must always strive to seek what unites and binds us together rather than what divides us.
“Let us be champions of peace and unity, setting aside our differences and promoting genuine reconciliation, understanding, and unity among all Nigerians. In this context, reconciliation signifies more than the absence of conflict; it signifies the presence of genuine love, respect, and acceptance for one another. “
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful of greater prosperity despite the myriad of challenges facing the country.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke to journalists after attending a Holy Communion Service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, on Monday, in celebration of Christmas, said the nation was in its recovery process.
“We are at a time as a people when things are indeed at various levels of challenges. Our case is like that of a patient who has been diagnosed with an ailment in the hospital and who has also received some medication, but he is now in the process of recovering. And during that recovery process, there would still be pain that would be felt.
“The world has gone through a lot and so it is not peculiar to us alone. So, we are at the recovery stage, and it will appear as if we still have a bit of pain here and there. But I can assure us that with all the medications that we have taken with all the policies of the current Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda, there is light down the tunnel.”
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, in a goodwill message by his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, urged the people of the state to resist any attempt to divide them along religious lines, especially now that Borno is on the part of economic recovery, growth and development.
“The security challenges we faced affected us as citizens, regardless of our faith.
“While the majority of citizens seem to appreciate all that we are achieving together, there are few amongst us, who in recent times are trying to undermine our core values and the religious tolerance that exist across Borno State.
“These few persons appear to ignore the truth that in Borno State there are many families with a mixture of Muslim and Christian members, sometimes from the same parents, yet living together in harmony. “I pledge not to be distracted and to remain fair with the guiding principle of considering the urgency of humanitarian needs as they affect communities in all our continued responses across Borno State,” Zulum said. In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde called on Christians to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ by showing love to others and cooperating with the political leadership. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, the governor said, “Only a peaceful nation could attract investment and development. I assure you that 2024 will bring about increased advancement, increased wealth, and long-lasting fulfillment for everyone
“It is imperative that we priorities peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among citizens, particularly in the light of the current security and economic challenges facing our nation.”
The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, called on the people of the state to come together to drive the process of reconciliation. Otti said, “At all times, we must bear in mind that maintaining the peace in our homes and communities is everyone’s responsibility but as stakeholders, we must be at the forefront.”
A former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu, urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity, stressing the imperative of unity as a panacea for development.
He said, “No doubt, like every other country, it has been a challenging year but there are still many reasons for us to celebrate as a nation. The country will wax strong if all and sundry play their respective roles with patriotism.
