Calamity would have befallen Nigeria if Buhari, Bauchi were killed, says Jonathan via @iKanzee_RR

President Goodluck Jonathan said calamity
would have befallen Nigeria if former Head of
State, Muhammadu Buhari and Islamic
scholar, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, were killed in the
July 23 bomb attacks in Kaduna.
Jonathan stated this when a delegation of the
Muslim community, led by Vice President
Namadi Sambo, paid him Sallah homage at
his official residence, in Abuja on Sunday.
He appealed to clerics in the country to
preach peace and unity to their followers “and
not the gospel of hate”, saying that the
country could not develop without peace.
He said, “Not too long ago we had these
dastardly attacks in Kano and Kaduna. We
stand to condemn these acts of terror on our
people.
“And, we extend our condolence and sympathy
to the bereaved and those who might have
been injured.
“The recent attacks in Kaduna, especially
where Sheik Dahiru Bauchi and Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari were targets are quite
instructive.
“You can imagine if these two people had died
in the attacks.
“Sheik Bauchi is one of our top Islamic
preachers; he has millions of followers. Buhari,
a former Head of State and leading political
figure, has massive supporters.
“On the same day, people wanted to kill them;
those who planned the attacks are clearly
sons of the devil, because if they had killed
these two people, we wouldn’t have been here
today; this country would have been in
turmoil.
”We couldn’t have gathered here to celebrate.”
He thanked God for saving their lives and
preventing “a major calamity” that would have
befallen the country.
The president restated that the Federal
Government was doing everything possible to
end the activities of Boko Haram and other
terrorist groups in the country.
He used the opportunity to renew his call on
Nigerians to continue to work with government
in that regard.
“Government is looking on how to raise funds;
in fact, we are launching the fund on
Thursday.
“This is to ensure that the widows, orphans,
those whose business premises have been
vandalised and even our worship places,
mosques and churches, that have been
destroyed, we will rebuild.
“Government alone cannot do it because we
will need huge sums of money. The Nigerian
private sector is vibrant and willing if they see
sincerity in government.
“We have demonstrated that very clearly and
we are hopeful that on that day, reasonable
amount of money will be raised.
“And, we will continue to raise money until we
are able to cushion the effect of these
excesses and at the same time, we are
strengthening our security services so that
they will be able to confront this menace,” he
said.
Jonathan said that he was honoured by the
visit of the Muslim community after the
Ramadan and prayed God to listen to and
answer their prayers.
Earlier, Sambo commended the president for
fasting with Muslims during the Ramadan,
and for welcoming the delegation to his
residence.
He prayed God to continue to give the
president wisdom and guidance to lead the
country to greater prosperity.
The vice president also prayed for peace in
Nigeria and for Allah to bring all evil, including
Boko Haram, to an end.
He urged Nigerians to be their brother’s
keepers “for peace, tranquillity, total
reconciliation and stability to reign in the
country.”
During the visit, the Minister of the Federal
Capital Territory, Mr Bala Mohammed, paid
homage to the president on behalf of Abuja
residents.
He said; “We have always enjoyed humane
and civil disposition that is why you see
Muslims and Christians coming to pay
homage in line with your exemplary
leadership.
“We pray that Allah will grant you courage and
wisdom to continue to steer the ship of
leadership despite the current security
challenges.” (NAN)