As Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ today, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer in 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago; Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; and  Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have charged them to use the occasion to pray for enduring peace in Nigeria.

This comes as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, expressed strong hope that Nigeria would surely break the yoke of corruption, which was hindering the country’s development and progress.

Atiku, also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a statement issued by his Media Office, extended his warm felicitations to Nigerians and called on the government to live up to its constitutional responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of all citizens and residents in Nigeria.

 He described the celebration as a season of solemn reflection, intense sacrifice, and divine love, urging Christians to use the period for deep introspection, repentance, and renewal of hope.

 Atiku encouraged all Christians to emulate the selflessness, forgiveness, and compassion of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.

He said the essence of Easter is sacrifice and love, urging Nigerians to seize the opportunity to show genuine love and compassion to one another.

In his message, Akpabio assured Nigerians of the federal government’s commitment to ridding the country of terrorism, which has led to insecurity in some states of the federation. 

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, he enjoined Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect, regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Akpabio urged all Christians to reflect on the values of love and peaceful coexistence as they celebrate the sacred feast of Easter.

The Senate President, who acknowledged that Nigeria was facing some challenges, particularly insecurity, appealed for understanding and commitment to national and security consciousness.

In the same vein, Obi urged Nigerians to be very hopeful of an Hallelujah Sunday after the Good Friday sorrow.

Writing in his X handle, the former Anambra State Governor said: “As you commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ amid severe hardships, I urge you to remain hopeful bearing in mind  that “Good Friday must come before Easter Sunday. 

“At Easter, I sincerely share with you the weight of the economic burden on families, even as I encourage you not to lose heart. Let us see our current struggles as a temporary “cross” that we must bear before our nation can experience a political and economic rebirth.”

Also, Governor Bago, in his Easter message, prayed that divine intervention would bring peace in the state and country.

In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Bago described Easter as a solemn celebration, then acknowledged the significance of the period to Christians all over the world.

On his part, Governor of Gombe State, Yahaya, in a goodwill message made available by his media aide, Mr. Ismaila Uba-Misilli, admonished Christians to draw strength from Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and triumph over adversities.

He called for prayers, peace, interfaith harmony, and collective actions as the nation worked towards renewal and progress.

Yahaya also urged Nigerians to remain united ahead of the 2027 election, while adhering to democratic principles to preserve the country’s democracy and strengthen national cohesion. 

On his part, Delta State Governor, Oborevwori, extended warm Easter greetings to Christians across Delta State and Nigeria, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith and committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, he emphasized that Easter represents a season of hope, sacrifice, and renewal, reminding believers of the triumph of light over darkness and life over death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He called on Christians to draw inspiration from the virtues of love, humility, perseverance, and selflessness exemplified by Jesus Christ, noting that such values are essential for building a more united, peaceful, and prosperous society. 

Similarly, Edo State Governor, Okpebholo, called for unity, hope, and renewed faith among Christians in Edo State and Nigeria as they celebrate Easter, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The governor described the season as a sacred period that embodies the virtues of sacrifice, love, hope, and redemption.

He urged Christians to reflect deeply on the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life exemplified humility, selflessness, and strong faith.

Ekiti State Governor, Oyebanji, felicitated Christians in the state and Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.

The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the essence of the Easter celebration, remains the greatest sacrifice for the redemption of humanity, which should be cherished.

He urged Christians to emulate Christ’s virtues of humility, love, perseverance, and compassion.

Enugu State Governor, Mbah, extended warm felicitations to Christians, calling on citizens to embrace peaceful coexistence and sustain the virtues imbibed during Lent.

In his Easter message, Mbah described the season as a profound reminder of the triumph of hope over despair, love over hate, and eternal life over death, noting that the resurrection of Christ underscored the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, and renewal.

He further enjoined Nigerians to foster unity and peaceful coexistence across religious, ethnic, and political divides, stressing that the nation’s strength lies in its diversity and shared aspirations.

Rivers State Governor, Fubara, urged the people of the state, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, reconciliation and unity. 

In a goodwill message the governor urged residents of the state to emulate Jesus Christ whose sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, brought forgiveness and reconciliation to mankind. 

He described Easter as a sacred season in which Christians are expected to promote peace, unity, and love.

In the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, Fubara also prayed that the Easter season may bring joy, hope, and renewal to Rivers State and Nigeria.

Equally, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, expressed strong hope that Nigeria would surely break the yoke of corruption, which is hindering the country’s development and progress.

Olukoyede, who gave the assurance while congratulating Christians across the country on the celebration of Easter, stressed that the malaise of corruption would not be able to defeat the country because the people are not defined by it.

In his Easter message through the commission, Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s boss, charged Nigerians to imbibe the lesson of Easter, which pertains to victory over trial, corruption, and death, stressing that the lesson is instructive for us as a nation.

Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah  and Blessing Ibunge