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….As David Mark Calls for Peaceful Coexistence, Urges Government to Tackle Insecurity
Samuel Ogidan
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on Nigerians not to lose hope in the country despite the prevailing economic hardship and insecurity confronting the nation.
In separate Eid-el-Kabir goodwill messages issued by the party and its National Chairman, David Mark, the ADC urged citizens to remain optimistic about Nigeria’s future while calling on governments at all levels to urgently address insecurity, poverty, and the rising cost of living.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC extended warm Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithful across Nigeria and around the world, describing the season as one of sacrifice, faith, obedience, and compassion.
The party acknowledged that this year’s Sallah celebration comes at a difficult time for many Nigerians struggling with worsening economic conditions, unemployment, food inflation, and insecurity.
“Across the country, millions of families are struggling under the weight of rising food prices, worsening economic hardship, unemployment, and growing insecurity. Many citizens are uncertain about tomorrow, and many homes are carrying burdens heavier than they have ever known,” the statement read.
Despite the challenges, the opposition party maintained that Nigerians must remain hopeful and committed to building a better nation.
“We believe deeply that beyond the hardship and frustration of this moment lies the possibility of a stronger, safer, and more prosperous nation. We believe in a Nigeria where real leadership works for the people, where young people can dream again, where farmers can return safely to their farms, where businesses can grow, and where ordinary citizens can once again live with dignity and hope,” the party stated.
The ADC further urged Nigerians not to surrender to despair, insisting that difficult periods in national life should not erase the possibility of recovery and progress.
“The darkness of today must not blind us to the possibilities of tomorrow. History has shown that nations recover when citizens refuse to stop believing in a better future,” the statement added.
The party also called on leaders across all levels to reflect on the meaning of responsibility and service during the Sallah season, while praying for peace, healing, unity, and relief for struggling families across the country.
Similarly, Senator Mark appealed to Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence and continue promoting national unity, tolerance, and mutual understanding.
In a goodwill message signed by his Communication Adviser, Kola Ologbondiyan, the former Senate President described Eid-el-Kabir as a period of deep reflection, sacrifice, obedience, compassion, and renewed commitment to peace.
“At this critical moment in our national life, I urge Nigerians to continue to uphold these virtues while praying and working for a more united, peaceful, and prosperous nation. Our diversity should remain our strength and not a source of division,” Mark stated.
He noted that insecurity remains one of the greatest threats to national development, lamenting that violence, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts continue to endanger lives and livelihoods across several parts of the country.
“Across many parts of the country, lives and livelihoods continue to be threatened by violence, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts, leaving families in fear and uncertainty,” he said.
Mark therefore urged governments at all levels to intensify efforts toward addressing insecurity through proactive and people-oriented measures capable of guaranteeing the safety of lives and property.
“Security remains the foundation upon which development and national progress can thrive,” he added.
The former Senate President also stressed the need for economic policies that would ease hardship and improve citizens’ welfare by tackling poverty, unemployment, inflation, and the high cost of living.
“Citizens deserve not only security but also access to opportunities, social welfare, and economic empowerment capable of restoring hope and dignity,” he said.
He further urged leaders to govern with compassion, justice, and accountability while encouraging Nigerians to remain steadfast in promoting peace and unity.
“As we mark this blessed celebration, may the spirit of Sallah inspire our leaders to govern with compassion, justice, and accountability, while encouraging citizens to remain steadfast in promoting peace, unity, and mutual understanding,” Mark stated.
