Senate President David Mark has urged Nigerians to sink their differences irrespective of ethnic, religious or political leanings and put the peace and unity of the nation above other considerations.

Mark gave the advice in a goodwill message to mark this year’s Christmas, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, yesterday in Abuja.

He also implored Nigerians to make peace and religious harmony the cornerstone of their relationship with one another.

The Senate president specifically called on the political class to lead the path of peace, law and order.

Mark further cautioned that national interest should not be sacrificed on the altar of individual or group ambitions.

He recalled the chequered political history of the nation, coupled with the ethno-religious conflicts that had claimed thousands of lives and property, and pleaded with Nigerians to have a rethink.

According to him, politics should ordinarily be a game and not a battlefield, adding that those fanning the embers of war or disunity should not set the house ablaze before they get there.

“We have come a long way as a people. We should see ourselves as one people, one nation with a common destiny.

“We cannot be moving in the reverse order when other nations are going to the moon.

“We have always admitted that the challenges are enormous but we must realise that nobody is coming from space to solve our problems for us.

“We should therefore be able to find home grown solutions to our challenges in a manner that would comfort and indeed satisfy all sections,” Mark said.

Speaking to current leaders, Mark said: “ It is incumbent on all of us to act and behave in a responsible manner that would give trust and confidence to the people”.

He requested religious leaders to fervently pray for the nation and its leaders adding that the time called for wise counsel and divine intervention.

In the same vein, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Christians to emulate the humility of Jesus Christ and eschew all forms of bitterness to move the nation forward.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu expressed regret that the progress of the nation had been seriously compromised due to lack of forgiveness by the people.

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi called on Christians to use the Christmas season to rededicate their lives to God and also pray for the country.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, also enjoined Christians to exhibit the virtues of Christ.

“Let me congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters and as well encourage them to emulate Christ in all their dealings.

“We must as a people under one God seek God’s interference in our country’s democracy. We must see it as our duty to pray to God for the good of our dear country Nigeria, we must pray for our leaders and always pray to God to give us good leaders that can lead our dear country to greatness,” Amaechi said.

The NGF chairman further advised Christians to reciprocate God’s love to their fellow Nigerians despite their ethnic or religious affiliation.

“In a time like this we must also shun religious bigotry and ethnic parochialism, and concentrate on the things, the values that unite us a country.”

“For us as a government, we shall continue to use our God given resources to develop Rivers State, and improve on the lives of everybody resident in our state. We are aware of the enormous challenges and distractions to make us lose focus but we will continue to resist them and remain resolute in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people”, Amaechi said.

Similarly, the Northern States Governors Forum yesterday called on Christians to spread the virtues of peace, love and charity, which underscored Christ’s mission on earth as they celebrate Christmas.

In a Christmas message issued in Minna, the forum’s Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, called on Christians to use the opportunity to pray fervently for an end to the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

The forum’s statement that was signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, said there was no better time to preach and internalise Jesus Christ’s mission on earth than now owing to increasing intolerance in the country.

As for the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, she charged Nigerian women  to rededicate themselves to their homes.

Mrs Jonathan equally enjoined them to renew their commitment to cherished family values of dedication, unity, love, loyalty, and uprightness.

The wife of the president said she was of the conviction that stable, peaceful homes will produce peaceful communities, and also guaranty a peaceful nation.

L-R: 1st Deputy President of PHCCIMA, Dr Renny Cookey, Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Presidnt PHCCIMA, Engr Emeka Unachukwu, with former PHCCIMA President and President of FOSSGMA, Prince Gilles Harry, during PHCCMA’s end of year party at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.