VOICE AIR MEDIA, VAM News Update
In a counter prayer session against the group that recently organized pray session to curse the INEC Chairman , Professor Mahmood Yakubu,Northern based Muslim Clerics under aegis of Pray for Nigeria Forum (PNF) today organised a prayer session to reverse the curse and commended the him for over fair conduct and credible general elections.
A group, Nigeria Youths National Prayer Day recently organized a prayer session with titled: “Curse be unto Prof Mahmood Yakubu” .
But in a counter reaction, the Muslim Clerics held that it will amount to great disserve to the nation for any group to lay curse on the same election umpire that presided over an relatively rated elections considered as the first successful and credible elections in Nigeria.
The Clerics during the prayer session held at Tafawa Balewa Guest Inn , Kaduna today prayed against the curse and urged God to grant Prof . Yakubu the wisdom and knowledge to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.
The clerics ,who recited various verses of Quran, also passed a vote of confidence on the INEC Chairman for his unwavering efforts and invaluable contributions to ensure a United Nigeria, despite threats and predictions of break-up.
While kicking against the claim that INEC allegedly sold the 2023 election to the highest bidder, President of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the clerics appealed to Christian Clerics across Nigeria to preach messages of peace and unity always.
In chat with journalists shortly after the event ,Imam Mohammed Awal Adam, the Coordinator of the Prayer session, said ,”It will be unfair not to acknowledge the record of performance of INEC during the concluded 2023 general elections and subsequent staggered elections across the country.
He further said ,”For a man that organized an election,where opposition parties won seats and states that were originally strong holds of the ruling party is enough reasons to commend Prof. Yakubu instead of the subjective condemnations in some quarters.
“Before we arrived this venue for the prayer , we did a review of the 2023 general elections and observed that the electoral process has improved tremendously compared to what was obtainable in past.” He added.
While noting that no religion permits anyone to curse a leader, but rather pray for leaders always for directions and guidance, he said, “It is the responsibility of religious leaders , irrespective faith and ethic backgrounds to ensure the messages they preach at our various worship places are such that promote love and unity amongst adherents.
He therefore urged Nigerians to shun the divisive tendencies and engage government via constructive criticism that could help to identify gray areas that require adjustments.We are appealing to Nigerians to look beyond 2023 elections and jettison of idea of retrogressive growth and development.
“In our view, Prof Yakubu has conducted most peaceful election in Nigeria, especially on the account of rancour free process and people not killed during the elections with considerations that opposition parties won some critical states,thus our decision to pray for him . ” Imam Adam stated.