39 days to Easter celebrations as Lent begins with Jonathan, Buhari tasking Christians

It is remaining 39 days for Christians all over the world to celebrate Easter as this year’s Lent began Wednesday  with President Goodluck Jonathan urging all Christians to pray for the success and peaceful conduct of the general elections.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan urged Christians that as they undergo the rites of the 40-day Lenten season which runs from yesterday, (Ash Wednesday), to Easter Sunday, with constant prayers, penitence, fasting and self-denial, to pray fervently for peaceful, violence-free and successful general elections on March 28 and April 11, 2015.

He called on all political leaders, Christians and others, 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 urged all those seeking political offices in the elections to eschew hate speech, incitement to violence, divisiveness and the malicious denigration of opponents.

He urged all political parties to join the Federal Government in giving the fullest possible support and co-operation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that it delivers free, fair and credible elections.

President Jonathan also urged Christians to reflect more on all the ideals of human existence taught by Jesus Christ during his ministry.

He urged them to make those ideals, including piety, love for others, tolerance, humility, selfless service to others, honesty, fairness, justice and equity more manifest in their daily lives.

He prayed God Almighty will answer prayers of all Nigerians and bless the country with successful elections, continued unity and further progress.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, has urged Nigerians to use this season of penance to reflect, meditate and pray to God for peace and the rebuilding of our nation.

Buhari made this appeal in a Lenten message to Christians, yesterday.

“He said: 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 and work for a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria where few men and women will no longer have the pleasure and privilege to deprive the majority of our common wealth.

“As you observe this very important spiritual exercise, I will also join you in prayers to God for the strength you need to go through this season and for the forgiveness of the sins we all have committed against God and hu­manity,” Buhari noted.