By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Dr Mariya Mahmoud has urged leaders in the country not to be autocratic rulers.
She called on them to always lead with the fear of God.
Mahmoud gave the charge when she hosted Muslims during the breaking of fast known as ‘Iftar’.
She admonished all to continue to pray for President Bola Tinubu for progress and the zeal to surmount current challenges facing the country.
The minister also urged Abuja residents to always embrace peace irrespective of religion and political affiliation.
She said: “My door is always open for suggestions, assistance and advice. If you are a leader don’t be an autocratic leader, carry everybody along and that is what we are doing.
“I appreciate you all for attending this year’s Iftar which means the breaking of fast during Ramadan. As we all know Ramadan is a special month amongst the twelve months of the Islamic calendar.
“It is also a month of blessing and forgiveness by the all mighty and it is also the month that whatever you ask almighty Allah shall be granted. I want to use this opportunity to pray for the nation, and for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our dear mother Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Nigeria is one nation; we are all one. We should love one another and that is the reason behind this Iftar. It is through this kind of medium that women can come together. We all irrespective of party affiliations are one and we need to come together, understand each other, accept each other for us to move the nation forward.
“If we want to support the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu and the renewed hope initiative of the wife of the president we need to unite. I appreciate the ministers for their support.
The Deputy National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zainab Ibrahim, has expressed confidence in the ability of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State in transforming the FCT for the better.
She also urged Nigerians to pray for the country during these challenging times, adding that it is a global issue.
Ibrahim said: “Both Muslims and Christians are fasting. I commend the FCT minister and the FCT minister of state for the transformation taking place in FCT. Somethings I ask myself if the FCT is newly created or if it is the FCT you and I have been living in.
“This is the time to pray more for our dear country and our leaders. We all know what the country is going through and I want us to know that it is a global thing, it is not just Nigeria and this is the particular month when Allah answers the prayers of worshipers. I want us to double our efforts in prayers for Nigeria and for our leaders.
Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the present administration.
She assured that the challenges currently facing the country will soon be a thing of the past.
Hannatu said Tinubu has a lot of good things to offer Nigerians.
She also called prayers and support for the government to succeed.
On her part, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim applauded the FCT minister of State and advised all to secure their communities and inform security agencies.
