Fulfill your electoral promises, NSCIA, Muslim groups tell Buhari

•Buhari

The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari has been admonished to fulfil all his electoral promises to Nigerians in line with his party’s manifestos.  According to statements issued by cross-section of Muslim groups in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, the President elect was asked to commence the onerous task before him, while cautioning him to be careful of those who hail him, while reflecting on the criticism of his critics. In their respective congratulatory messages, the Muslim groups also prayed for the newly elected President for a successful tenure that would ushered in the much-promised change to Nigerians. The other groups include the Jamatul Nasirul Islam (JNI), Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS). Others were Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF). NSCIA in a message signed by its , Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said: “Your Excellency, as you savour the joy of a well-deserved victory and the whole world celebrates you and the values that have defined your unique personality, let us reminds you of what a former vice-chancellor once said when he was being congratulated on his appointment. “The person said that no one would congratulate a Surgeon who was to perform an operation. He would only be congratulated after a successful surgery. Hence, rather than congratulations, well wishers should pray for him to perform the operation well. “Similarly, please be reminded of the Qur’an Chapter 28 Verse 76: “Exult not; verily God loveth not the exultant.” “As you are set to commence this onerous task before you, we urge you to be careful of those who hail you and reflect on the criticism of your critics. Know that every failure is a test and every success, a trial. “You have passed the test of past failures and it is the wish of the Almighty Allah to try you with success. For every action, there is a reaction; for every opportunity, there is a responsibility and for every appointment, there is accountability before men and Allah”, NSCIA said. In the same vein, the religious body commended President Goodluck Jonathan for displaying unprecedented leadership at the national level by not only conceding defeat in the presidential poll, but also congratulating the winner. In its message, JNI through its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu congratulated Nigerians for their “doggedness, courage, resilience, maturity, and above all, persistent prayers for a credible and hitch free Presidential poll”. “JNI therefore reiterates its call for peace and urge all and sundry to go about their lawful businesses and remain calm and law abiding. This is a time for sober reflection, humility to Allah the Exalted, gratitude and glorification to Him”, It said. The group advised against wreckless and rough celebrations and indecorous utterances by all Nigerians “so that our gratitude and glorifications would be accepted by the Almighty”. While rejoicing with the new President elect, JNI called on him to fear Allah in his stewardship, and be just and fair to all Nigerians regardless of their tribes or religious affinity. “He should consider his victory as victory for Nigeria and Nigerians”. Prof. Dawud Noibi, MUSWEN Executive Secretary in his message entitled: “ Let the Nation Show Gratitude” said despite pessimism, Allah has granted Nigeria peace during the Presidential election. “The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) cannot afford to wait any longer before congratulating the entire Nigerian nation on Allah’s quick and full response to our prayers for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. “However, it is the people of Nigeria that are the ultimate victors, by the special grace of Allah. They are the ones that have thus been saved from potential danger the kind of which usually characterised past elections. “We appeal to the people of this nation to reflect profoundly so that we may see the success of the elections as a mark of Allah’s favour and His merciful response to our prayers”, MUSWEN admonished. FOMWAN in its congratulatory message signed by Alhaja Sururah Oyero, National Public Relations Officer, reminded the President-elect on his promises to provide adequate security, enhanced health care delivery and jobs for Nigerians.