President Muhammadu Buhari’s swashbuckling victory at the presidential election is already bridging the religious divide among Nigerians.
This was evident as Christian and Islamic leaders, under the aegis of Inter-faith clerics, joined forces to celebrate the president’s overwhelming triumph.
Mr Buhari was returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of main challenger Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In recognition of this remarkable feat, several renowned religious heads, Monday, led thousands of their followers to the Unity Fountain in Abuja to begin a three-day praise and worship program.
Majority of these clerics similarly organized a 40-day prayer and fast for the president’s re-election.
Sheik Usman Mohammed, co- Chairman, NIFROP, in his remark revealed that Mr Buhari is God’s choice, calling on Nigerians to back the president with their prayers.
“ I warmly welcome you all faithful to this thanksgiving service dedicated to the victory of president Muhammadu Buhari at the recently conducted presidential elections.
“ As you all might know, we as a group converged at this same venue to pray in unity for 40 days for the success of the president at the elections and also for God to grant him good health throughout the electioneering campaigns.
“ I recall that after the 40 days’ prayers, we solicited the support of Nigerians for President Muhammadu Buhari as he is God sent to deliver the country from evil.
“ We also prayed that those with intent to cause trouble to be put to shame and their evil intentions comes to nuts. And we thank the Almighty God for his mercies upon us as a country and as a people.
“ Brethren, the elections have come and gone, and Nigeria is still standing as one united and robust country. The elections have come and gone, and it is evident that the forces of darkness have all been defeated by the almighty God, the ruler of humanity.
“ We are gathered here to express our gratitude to the Almighty Allah for his show of love for Nigeria, and also for putting the enemies of Nigeria to shame through the outcome of the presidential elections.
“ My dear brothers and sisters, now that we have a President with a new mandate of 4 years, it, therefore, behoves on us not to relent on our prayers for a peaceful and successful tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari as he pilots the affairs of the country to greater success.
“ We also have to pray for Allah the Most Merciful to grant him good health as he governs the country for the next four years. Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a reward therefrom, and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a burden therefrom. And ever is Allah, over all things, a Keeper.
“ We must come together in this period to lend our support to him as always to succeed for he needs our prayers and support.
“ We also call on all well-meaning Nigerians regardless of their political inclinations, religion or ethnicity to extend their support to President Muhammadu Buhari for Almighty Allah has destined him that he would lead Nigeria to the promised land.
” My brothers and sisters, we all know “ that God indeed loves Nigeria for giving us this rare breed human in President Muhammadu Buhari. A man that exudes integrity and selflessness. A man that God has chosen to lead the people of Nigeria to the promised land. A man whose heart is so transparent.
“ My brothers and sisters, we are indeed grateful to Almighty Allah for the great things he has done for us, and that is why we are gathered here to show appreciation and gratitude.
“ We must know that we are duty bound to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari from our various places of worship when we leave here. This is a task mandated by Almighty Allah on us to ensure that he, President Muhammadu Buhari succeeds.”
