Easter: APC, PDP Urge Nigerians To Unite Against COVID-19

 

The two major political parties in Nigeria have called for unity amongst Nigerians in a bid to overcome the deadly respiratory disease, coronavirus.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made the call in their Easter messages obtained by Allnews. 

Easter celebration is the commemoration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ observed by Christians worldwide. 

National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, said Nigerians should use the Easter period to pray for Nigeria to emerge from COVID-19 pandemic stronger.

Secondus, in a message signed by his Media Aide, Mr Ike Abonyi in Abuja said that the situation in the world today and in Nigeria entails that all citizens ought to intensify supplications to God.

He said the fact that Christendom was celebrating Easter in their homes and not in their Churches against their desires challenged them to give new strength and energy to prayers.

“If Jesus Christ’s coming to the earth and dying for mankind took us from old to New Testament in the scripture, let us use the challenge of this time to pray for a new World where God will take preeminence,” he said.

The PDP chairman said that the period of ”Easter provides hope to mankind as Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection open the way for salvation for us.

“If Christ’s death on Good Friday gave us hope of resurrection on Easter Day, we should see the COVID-19 pandemic as a challenge to take Nigeria to a better level.

“Nigerians should, therefore, pray for the emergence of a new Nigeria from the scourge of Coronavirus.”

Secondus, however, warned leaders not to make a profit from the challenges of COVID-19 because of its consequences.

Also, the APC, in its statement, urged Nigerians to unite in the government effort to prevent and manage the spread of  Coronavirus.

APC National Publicity Secretary,  Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu said: “Indeed, Easter emphasises, acknowledges and appreciates the redemptive blessings of the ultimate love, sufferings and sacrifices of Jesus Christ for the common good of mankind.

“Globally, we are in dire times. Collectively, we should find inspiration in the time-honoured selfless disposition of Jesus Christ as we strive to eliminate the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“A devastating public health crisis that has affected and disrupted every sector. Therefore, very sector and individual must be involved in the fight against the Coronavirus.

“So as we commemorate Easter with family and loved ones, we must understand that these are unusual times and our personal and collective responsibility are required more than before to stay safe."

The party’s spokesperson recalled that at the Extraordinary Summit on COVID-19 in March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had urged participants to unite against the virus.

“We will only get out of the pandemic together and ignite a global movement to ensure this never happens again.

“Commendably, government continues to implement palliatives for the Nigerian citizenry, particularly those on the margins.

“We encourage able individuals and organisations to continue and expand their philanthropic outreach to the elderly, poor and other vulnerable people in our societies,” the statement read in parts.