By Jude Opara, Abuja
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has described as a significant coincidence of Christians and Muslims beginning their fasting and abstinence religious obligations on the same day.
Obi who was writing in his X handle, said, Nigerians should see the season of Lent and the Ramadan starting on the same day as a sign that irrespective of their different religions and creed, they should all work towards the development of the country under God.
“This rare coincidence is far more than a meeting of dates; it is a powerful symbol of shared sacrifice, reflection, and the possibility of national renewal at a time when our collective identity has been strained by ineffective governance. It is striking that both sacred seasons are marked by fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving. We may therefore see this convergence as what might fittingly be called a “Double Fast” — a divine invitation to transcend our differences and rediscover our shared humanity.
“As millions of Nigerians — Christians and Muslims alike, from North to South — abstain from food and drink, or devote themselves to forty days of penance and prayer, we are united in a single purpose: to seek the mercy of the Almighty for the healing of our land.
“This rare coincidence, this shared season of fasting, calls for intensified prayer against the insecurity and economic hardship confronting our country. But prayer alone is not enough; it must be paired with action. It urges us toward charity for the vulnerable, forgiveness of one another, and the self-discipline both faiths commend. Many will rightly see this period as a necessary spiritual reset for our troubled nation.
“Let this season become a time of deep spiritual engagement. May our hunger remind us of our neighbours’ suffering, and may our prayers stand as a shield over our nation. May our sacrifices be accepted, and may this unique alignment usher in a lasting era of peace and unity across Nigeria”, the statement added.
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