TheCable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Nigerians to use the occasion of Christmas to strengthen the bond of love and unity.

In a statement issued on Monday, the PDP said Nigerians should continue to be their brothers’ keepers despite the “hardship, pain and misery brought upon the nation” by policies of the federal government.

“The party charges Nigerians to continue to be their brother’s keepers, especially at this trying time and not allow the hardship, difficulties and uncertainties imposed on the nation by the insensitive APC administration to change their caring nature,” the statement issued by Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, reads.

The PDP claimed that “millions of Nigerian families are economically stranded, socially dislocated and can no longer afford their daily meals and other necessities of life, especially at this festive period”.

“Our party is grieved that while families in other climes and nations are celebrating with joy, Nigerians are observing Christmas in hunger and misery because of the anti-people policies of the APC administration,” the statement added.

The opposition party asked the national assembly to “be on the side of the people by cutting all provisions for luxury items” in the 2024 budget and “channel such funds to sectors that have a direct bearing on the wellbeing” of Nigerians.

The PDP urged Nigerians not to “succumb to despondency” but to use the occasion and essence of Christmas to “offer prayers as well as renew their hope and trust in the divine intervention of God in the affairs” of the country.

Similarly, Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, encouraged Nigerians to pray for a peaceful and prosperous nation.

In his Christmas message, Abubakar said Nigerians “should continue to extend hands of love and fellowship to our neighbours and live as one big family, irrespective of our social, political and religious leanings and continue to trust God for a better tomorrow and a greater country”.