Eid-il-fitri: Atiku congratulates Muslims, calls on leaders to show compassion

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has congratulated Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting.

Atiku, who is also the Waziri Adamawa, in a statement signed by his media office on Sunday, said that the completion of Ramadan fasting is a blessing from the Almighty.

He, however, admonished leaders at all levels to put the wellbeing of Nigerians as a priority.

According to him, “the Ramadan fasting of this year came around at a period of excruciating hardship and hunger in the country.

“While the Ramadan season encouraged charity to the less privileged, it becomes imperative on leaders to make sure that after Ramadan, governments initiate interventions that will ensure the wellbeing and welfare of the people is sustained.

“It is important to call the attention of those in positions of authority to the practices of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that teach about the obligations of leadership to the people.

“It is not enough that the government will ask that the people should brace themselves for harsh economic conditions. It is more sufficient for the leadership to show compassion on the masses and by acting with fear of God,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President also reminded the Muslim faithful that the celebration of Eid-il-fitri, “should be an opportunity to remind ourselves to continue to intensify the good deeds that was embraced during Ramadan, and for the people to continue to pray for progress in our private lives and our dear country in general”.