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The Peoples` Democratic Party (PDP)?has called on opposition political parties to guard?their utterances in the interest of the unity of the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, in Abuja on Saturday.
“We appreciate that in a multiparty democracy, there are different views on governance. However, the plurality of views must never be allowed to threaten the corporate existence of the country.
“Nigeria must remain our common denominator in spite of our different political and cultural orientation,’’ Metuh said in the statement.
The statement added that the task of ensuring peace and stability of the country was not a burden for the PDP or President Goodluck Jonathan alone but that of all Nigerians.
It, therefore, called on elders, leaders and opinion leaders in the country to continue preaching the message of peace and unity amongst the people.
The statement noted that Metuh expressed satisfaction in?the efforts so far made by?some prominent Nigerians in?promoting government`s efforts in tackling the nation`s challenges.
It specifically commended the patriotic intervention of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in their call for Nigerians to rally round Jonathan to tackle the security and economic challenges facing the nation.
The statement stated that the pronouncements by the elder statesmen at a time some individuals and groups were fanning the embers of hatred and division showed that there were still highly respected leaders in the country.
Such statesmen, it stated, were willing to rise above narrow sectional considerations for the overall stability of the country.?
It would be recalled that Babangida at his media parley to celebrate his 71st birthday, described calls for the resignation of Jonathan by some groups as “laughable”.
Abubakar also echoed the same view and urged Nigerians to put aside politics and join hands in preventing the threat to the country`s corporate existence by some ethnic organisations.
The statement commended the statesman disposition of Babangida and Atiku and described them “as distinguished political icons’’ that should be emulated by all Nigerians.
“As we celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, we wish to appeal to all Nigerians to hold onto the lessons of the holy month, which are supplication to the almighty, sacrifice and brotherly love for one another. ’’
It added that Nigerians could not claim to be people of faith if their action negates the fundamental prescriptions of their creator.
The statement wished Nigerians a happy celebration and urged them to strive to live in peace (NAN)