Tinubu: Nigeria needs deliverance

Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Monday called on all Muslims to embrace the virtues of personal sacrifice, self-discipline and tolerance during the holy month of Ramadan.

Tinubu’s admonition also came on a day the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in Sokoto State, announced that Wednesday is the first day of the Ramadan.

Also, Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, has urged Muslims to “soberly reflect on the good deeds of Prophet Mohammed, while using the period to also pray for peace and unity in our country,” just as the Sokoto State chapter of the Jama’atul Izalatul Bida’a Waikamatul Sunnah (JIBWIS), called on Islamic scholars in the country to conduct their preaching with decorum and avoid using
unguarded statements that would heat up the polity.

But Tinubu, in his Ramadan message, said the country was at a crucial stage in which it needs more supplication and prayers for it to continue to survive as an entity.

“The Muslim Ramadan period offers the vast Muslims in this country and elsewhere the opportunity to pray for Nigeria. Nigeria needs deliverance from poverty, corruption, visionless leaders, wicked rulers and all purveyors of falsehood. The spirit of death hangs over our country and we must all pray for a change that is beneficial to all,” he said.

Tinubu, who is also the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), urged all religious leaders from different faiths not to leave the Muslims alone to do it all during this Ramadan season but to in their own way offer prayers and seek to imbibe the virtues of peace, sacrifice and forgiveness.
“The greater burden is however of the political leadership. Those that run the affairs of state. Power is God-given and if we misuse such powers, if we fail to better the lives of the millions we rule over, if we chastise the citizenry rather than lessen their burden, if violate the fundamental rights of the ordinary Nigerian, then that power they wield will be taken away in due time. The peoples’ will ultimately triumph,” Tinubu added.

The former governor enjoined all Muslims to see this period as one in which through piety that could help atone for Nigeria’s many sins and pray for the nation’s development.

However, a statement signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Council, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, after its meeting in Sokoto Monday night, stated that the Advisory Council, at its meeting did not receive any report from various moon sighting committees across the country, confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan.

“Therefore, Tuesday, July 9 is the 30th day of Shaaban, 1433 A.H while Wednesday July 10, is therefore, the first day of Ramadan, 1434 AH.

His eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, wishes all Muslims successful Ramadan fasting,” the statement said.

On his part, Dickson, in a statement he personally signed, said: “The period of the Fast also offers you a unique opportunity to demonstrate our love for one another as Nigerians, Muslims and Non-Muslims alike.
Let us use this period to renew our commitment to our nation and strengthen the bonds of unity amongst our people irrespective of tribe or religion.”

However, JIBWIS in a communique signed by its state Coordinator, Malam Sani Aliyu Sagiri, at the end of a seminar at Sultan Maccido Institute for Quran and General Studies, Sokoto, urged Islamic preachers to conduct their preaching in a manner that would promote peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

According to the communique, Islamic scholars should avoid using abusive language, while conducting their preaching to avoid creating confusion in the minds of their followers.

“As the Ramadan period is around the corner, Islamic preachers should use wisdom while conducting their preaching activities and avoid making unguarded utterances that may breach peace in the polity. So, they should respect other Islamic sects and desist from using abusive language against other preachers that do not belong to their sect,” the communique read.

Meanwhile, Managing Director, Komolafe Motors, Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaji Basheer Komolafe, has urged Muslim faithful who want to rush home for If-tar, to exercise caution in order to avert accidents.

Komolafe, who gave the admonition in Osogbo, said: “We are in the raining season and in fasting period, many people will be rushing home in the evening and motorists too will want to make their ends meet, that is why both must be patience.”