Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former Military Head of State, has challenged politicians to shun politics of bitterness but embrace politics of issues.
This is just as Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello of Niger State has challenged Nigerians to promote peace among the different ethnic nationalities in the state irrespective of political, tribal or religious affiliations.
Gen. Abdulsalam spoke on Tuesday shortly after the Eid- el-Kabir 2 rakat prayers at the Minna Central Mosque, urged the politicians allow the citizens to decide through the ballot box who to lead them in all three tiers of government.
He said it was worrisome that Nigeria’s political space had been needlessly heated up by politicians who rarely consider the country’s interests above theirs in politics.
He said, “Enduring political culture can only be built when politicians focus on politics of issues and as well adhering to the rules of the game.
“It is pertinent for politicians to understand that leadership comes from God and not man.”
Abdulsalami said, “God bestows leadership on whomsoever he wishes, with such an understanding, I expect that prevalent issue of do-or-die politics should not have arisen in the first instance because Nigeria’s political space is enough for everyone.”
The 2019 general elections, Abdulsalam said, would be a test case that Nigeria democracy has come of age, adding that Nigerians should be able to put aside their differences by ensuring a hitch-free election instead of causing more division along ethnic, religious and political divides.
Abdulasami, therefore, urged adherents of the Islamic faith to imbibe the exemplary lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad and the lessons of the Eid-el-Kabir by living in peace with one another, particularly adherents of other religion.
Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello who celebrated the year’s Eid-el-Kabir in Kontagora his village called on youths in the state to shun negative vices by engaging in meaningful ventures for self-reliant.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor advised all eligible voters in the just concluded Continuous Voters Registration exercise by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to make effort to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them to elect credible leaders of their choice in next year’s election.
While Governor Bello and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, led thousands of Muslim faithful to observe the eid-prayers in Kontagora, his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso and Gen. Abdulsalami joined other faithful for the eid-prayers led by the Imam of the Minna Central Mosque, Mallam Isa Fari, for the years’ festival which was generally peaceful in Niger state.
