EID MUBARAK: Atiku charges new govs, other leaders to stand for justice

Former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the 29 newly sworn in governors and others in position of leadership at all levels in Nigeria to stand for justice.

He said the effects of banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Nigeria could only be addressed when there is justice in the land.

Atiku, who stated this in a Sallah message on his official Facebook page, said the godliness built after a month of fasting during Ramadan should be used to make personal and group sacrifices that will usher in justice, unity, peace and prosperity back in the country.

According to Atiku, now that Ramadan is over, Nigerian have to “face the grim reality that Nigeria is now the world headquarters for extreme poverty and the global capital for out of school children population.”

The statement read in part: “As we celebrate the end of Ramadan, it is important that we understand that the Holy Month was meant to transform us by taking our attention from ourselves and focusing it on to others.

“During Ramadan, we fasted that we might be better able to empathise with the hungry, the poor and the downtrodden. After the fast, we must face the grim reality that Nigeria is now the world headquarters for extreme poverty and the global capital for out of school children population.

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“We must also face the sober truth that our country faces a bleak harvest because farmers in our food basket regions cannot go to farms due to the spiralling insecurity in those geopolitical zones.

“The piety that we have just built up, after a month of fasting, puts us in a unique position to make the personal and group sacrifices that will usher in justice, unity, peace and prosperity back in our land, if we remember that Ramadan is a process, not an event.

“A process that refines us to live, and be on our best behaviour for eleven months until the next Ramadan.

“A process that prepares us to ensure justice in our communities for everyone, irrespective of their religion, region or inclination. We must not forget the millions of our brothers and sisters that have been displaced by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers. Theirs is a present suffering that can only be dealt with when we have justice in our land.

“That is why the Quran says ‘O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both’.

“I especially commend this surah to the 29 newly sworn in governors and to those God has placed in leadership positions in the three arms of government at all levels. We must do justice here on earth, because we expect God to do justice to us when we meet with our Maker.”

“And it is on this basis that I greet all Nigerians and the global Ummah. At the beginning of this most important month, I wished you Ramadan Kareem. Now, I wish you “Eid Mubarak.”

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