*As Sultan declares Friday Eid-el-Fitr
President Muhammadu Buhari has scored his administration high in the conduct of the 2023 general elections, citing the routing of some members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) as evidence of the transparency and credibility of the polls.
The President said at no point did he interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone.
These were contained in his Sallah message released Thursday night by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
President Buhari said the peaceful outcome of the 2023 general elections “will go down on record as one of the proudest achievements of my administration in addition to our neutrality in the conduct of the elections.”
In his goodwill message to Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el fitir celebration to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting season, President Buhari explained that “the outcomes of the elections are in line with my pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections.
“I’m proud that I have created a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliation in order to produce a fair outcome for all.”
According to the President, “free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy, because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself.”
“The elections were so transparent that even members of the my own party were routed and unseated. At no point did I interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone,” the President added.
On the Ramadan fast, President Buhari congratulated Muslims on successfully completing this demanding spiritual obligation.
While praying to Allah to reward the Muslims for their sacrifices during the fasting season, President Buhari advised that “we shouldn’t forget the important lessons of the Ramadan which includes improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society.”
He said: “Abstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day.”
Meanwhile, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Friday, April 21, 2023 as the first day of Shawwal 1444AH in Nigeria.
The Sultan made the declaration in his palace in Sokoto on Thursday after the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee received several reports from various Moon Sighting committees across the country.
He said, therefore, Thursday is the 29th day of the month of Ramadan 1444 AH and Friday is Eid Fitr.
The Sultan said he has accepted the report and accordingly declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal 1444AH, the Day of Eid-el-Fitr.
He felicitated Nigerian Muslims and wished them God’s guidance and blessings, urging them to continue to pray for peace progress and development of the country.