Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Following the successful conduct of the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed worry over the spate of insecurity across the country.
JNI also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari over his re-election and called on government and Islamic leaders to redouble their efforts and make supplications to God to ensure peace in the country.
The Islamic body also congratulated all other contestants, as well as the electorate that conducted themselves peacefully and with decorum during and after the elections.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Secretary-General of the JNI, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar.
“While sincere and concerted efforts must be put in place to address the glitches of insecurity as well as that of governance in Nigeria, such that we can all have a prosperous Nigeria of our dream, the Imams, Ulama’ and all Muslims are emphatically called upon to fervently continue with supplications, for peace and security to reign in our dear country. This is so because we have clearly seen its result during the just concluded 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections.
“However, we call on all the political contenders in Nigeria, to in the name Allah, take it easy and sheath their swords, as in every contest there will always be a winner and a loser. But in this case, all the contestants are the winners, because Nigerians are now beginning to understand the dynamics of politics and democracy.
“Moreover, Nigerians must be in peace with one another before anybody will think of governing the entity called Nigeria, except if he/she thinks otherwise, which in our view will tantamount to the state of anarchy that must be avoided no matter the concerns. Peace must be embraced by all, as Nigeria clearly needs peace for its growth and development.
“And considering that the gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections are coming up on Saturday, March 9, 2019, we use this medium to appeal to all politicians and their supporters to embrace peace and also be decorous in actions and speeches, before, during and after the elections.
“We must not fuel the embers of hatred nor beat the drum of war amongst ourselves, as elections will come and go, but the un-courteous utterances may remain as a scare in our respective memories. So restraint should be exercised, as this is a crucial period for the evolutionary process of the Nigerian state; thus, we must all be seen to be statesmen, such that we will continue to be a force to be reckoned with, in the comity of nations.
“Therefore, JNI calls for calm and self-control in words and actions by all concerned, and security agencies are implored to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility especially during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections. It is high time we did away with rancour and bitterness,” the statement said.