The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase and the House Minority Representative have rejoiced with Christians as they celebrate this year’s Christmas.
Gbajabiamila said Christmas, which is marked to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, is a time for sober reflection and rededication to his teachings and ways.
The Speaker, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, prayed to the Christian faithful and other Nigerians for a peaceful and successful general election in 2023.
Gbajabiamila, in a statement titled “Christmas: Gbajabiamila rejoices with Christians, calls for national prayers”, said that as the country prepares for general elections, it has become imperative for Nigerians to shun any form of violence and actions that can undermine them. peaceful conduct of polling stations.
The speaker also called on Nigerians to cooperate with all relevant government agencies and officials before, during and after the elections.
The Deputy Speaker, in a statement titled “Christmas: Happy with Christians, calls for prayers, unity”, appealed to the Christian faithful to uphold the principles of love, sacrifice and tolerance symbolized by Jesus Christ.
Wase, in his Christmas message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Puma, urged Christians to use this special moment to show love and kindness to one another.
He also asked Christians to take advantage of this year’s Christmas celebration to pray to God to put an end to all the security and economic challenges affecting the country.
The Deputy Speaker further called on religious leaders to pray for the nation and its leaders as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections.
The House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of Christmas 2022 to rekindle their trust in God and strengthen their love for one another in renewed hope for a brighter future for the nation under a purposeful, responsible and responsible. human leadership next year.
Elumelu made the call in a separate statement released on Saturday, which was titled: “Christmas: Representative Minorities Leader, Ndudi Elumelu urges hope, trust in God.”
The statement read in part: “It is heartbreaking that in the last seven and a half years, under the present administration, Nigerians have been so deprived that they cannot meet their basic needs and observe major festivals in fear, misery and utter desolation. to the increase of insecurity.
“Despite the challenges, we must not succumb to despair, we must strengthen the bond of unity, celebrate with love and share with each other, believing that this will be the last Christmas under an irresponsible government.
“Also, Christmas offers another opportunity for those behind acts of violence and discord in our country to turn a new leaf and embrace a life of peace, love and harmony, especially as our nation prepares for next year’s crucial general elections.
“So we must use the celebration of the coming of Jesus (God is Salvation) in the saving grace of God to rescue our nation from the forests and return to the path of unity, peace, joy and happiness. The essence of Christmas”.
Elumelu added that the House minority caucus congratulates Nigerians and wishes them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Meanwhile, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has called on Nigerians to renew their hope and faith in God with a view to finding lasting solutions to the socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation.
Mark, in a goodwill message to Nigerians through his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh, for this year’s Christmas celebration, said there is need to seek refuge in God, saying, “If all things fail, God never fails”.
The former Senate President advocated for religious harmony between various groups and groups, stating that peaceful coexistence is necessary for development to take place.
Mark lamented the “occasional religious conflicts in the land” and called on religious leaders to do more in preaching the good news of peace, love and neighborliness.
The former lawmaker asked Christian believers not to forget the essence of Christmas at the altar of joy, “Jesus Christ came to redeem mankind, he preached the message of peace, love, forgiveness and help for the poor.”
The retired general called on religious leaders to educate their followers that they should be the guardians of their brothers at all times, stating that “no one can live alone or isolated. We need each other to make the world a better place.”
