Benue Governor Samuel Ortom has urged Benue residents and Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari.
The governor also urged Nigerians to maintain hope in the country by continuing to work together to create an indivisible nation.
This was contained in the governor’s aide, Mr. Nathaniel Ikyur’s Christmas goodwill message to Benue citizens as well as Nigerians, which was issued in Makurdi on Friday.
He described it as a chance for all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or religious affiliation, to come together and work consciously to dislodge the terrorist forces destabilizing the country.
Ortom expressed regret for the anguish terror groups had inflicted on Nigerians’ political, economic, and social lives.
“As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us do so as one large Nigerian family, united in love and concern for one another.”
“Let us avoid divisive tendencies in which religious, ethnic, and political differences have infiltrated our daily lives.
“We must not allow terrorists and their sponsors to continue their criminality and destroy our country.”
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“Let us band together now to put an end to it for the sake of our children and future generations,” he said.
He claimed that the annual commemoration of Jesus Christ’s birth symbolized God’s love for humanity.
He went on to say that the season had provided a unique opportunity to share genuine love, regardless of political or religious differences.
He urged Christians to pray for peace and harmony in the country, urging them to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors, members of the National Assembly, ministers, and all those in positions of authority.
He also warned Benue residents to be security conscious and vigilant during and after the celebrations.
“Given the recent security alert issued by security agencies, residents of Benue should be aware of their surroundings right now.”
“Let them report suspicious movements of people to security agencies so that we can catch the bad apples among us together,” he said.
