In view of the 40-day fasting period for Christians which began on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a goodwill message to all Christians, urging them to pray for the successful and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking via a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan said Christians should fast, pray fervently and deny themselves so as to guarantee a peaceful, violence-free and successful general elections on March 28 and April 11, 2015.
He therefore called on political leaders and Christians alike to rededicate themselves to remain peaceful, non-violent campaigns and elections.
Parts of the statement read: “As they undergo the rites of the 40-day Lenten season which runs from today, Ash Wednesday, to Easter Sunday, with constant prayers, penitence, fasting and self-denial, President Jonathan urges Christians in Nigeria to pray fervently for peaceful, violence-free and successful general elections in the country on March 28 and April 11, 2015.
“The President also seizes the opportunity of the commencement of Lent to call on all political leaders in the country, Christians and non-Christians alike, to rededicate themselves to the commitment they have made to peaceful, non-violent campaigns and elections, and do their utmost best to ensure that their supporters across the country uphold that commitment.
“In the spirit of that commitment, President Jonathan further urges all those seeking political office in the coming elections to eschew hate speech, incitement to violence, divisiveness and the malicious denigration of opponents.
“My dear brothers and sisters, as we pray daily for mercy from God, let these 40 days be for us, a greater opportunity to change our ways and our hearts so that God can heal our land; which is in dire need of leaders and citizens who will show love and care for the poor and the rejected in our midst, for whom, Jesus Christ also sacrificed and died for.
“Let us abhor discriminations in our country on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, gender and political orientation.”
