Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged religious leaders in the country to intensify prayers and seek divine solution to its myriad challenges.
The former Vice President made the call at the weekend when he met religious leaders at different rendezvous in Kaduna State. During an interactive session organised by the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO), in conjunction with the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), the Northern Islamic Youth Scholars and Imams, as well as Leaders of Women In Daawah, yesterday, in Kaduna, the presidential hopeful noted that wherever the freedom of religion, peace and stability are under threat, development and good governance remain far-fetched.
According to him, the prevailing insecurity, poverty and economic doldrums in Nigeria affect all facets of life and engender under-development.
“Even if there is good governance, whereas people are not free to profess and practise their religion, enjoy peaceful coexistence in a rancour-free and progressive atmosphere, then the country will continue to retrogress.
“This is the reason the Ulama, the clergy and all Nigerians should pray for divine intervention, so that there will be good leadership that would engender overall national development beneficial to all,” Atiku said.
The Director General of PPCO, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, while burnishing Atiku’s political credentials, said the gatherings were to seek the blessings of the Ulama and clergy, as the party and its presidential candidates prosecute an issue-based campaign.
While urging the religious leaders in the country to continue praying for peace, Tambuwal hailed the decision of the party to appoint a Christian southerner, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, as Atiku’s running mate.
“We all know that the need for inclusiveness, justice and fairness cannot be over-emphasised, hence the PDP selected Okowa to be the running mate of our presidential candidate,” Tambuwal explained.
The leader of the SCSN, Sheikh Sambo Rigachikun, raised issues about agricultural development, insecurity, unemployment and volatile foreign exchange as areas future leadership of the country should focus.
He harped on the need for any government that will be elected to prioritise speedy appointment of qualified persons as ministers of the Federal Republic.
