Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has charged Nigerians to pray fervently for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming general elections and peaceful transition of power.
In a New Year message issued to journalists from his media office in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital, the PDP Chieftain who was optimistic that the new year will usher in good things, credible and committed leaders, urged Nigerians to participate actively in the general polls to chose the best man that could pilot the affairs of the country effectively and curb the insecurity problem.
Baraje described the year 2018 as a year full of challenges, hunger and bad governance, charged the electorate to use their Permanent Voters Card to elect the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidates back to power to fix the dwindling sectors of the economy.
He prayed that the new year would be prosperous and fruitful, saying that the incoming government of Abubakar Atiku is desirous to tackle poverty headlong, create mass employment and make Nigeria to work again.
Meanwhile, Baraje has described the death of the first civilian president of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari as sad and a colossal loss of the people of Nigeria and Africa.
He said the late Shagari was a quintessential leader that was committed to the task of building one Nigeria, pointing out that his achievements in government was remarkable.
He condoled with the Sultan of Sokoto, the people of the seat of the caliphate, family members of the deceased and the entire of Nigeria on the loss of the statesman who laboured for the unity, oneness and progress of Nigeria, praying God to forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
