The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged religious leaders in Nigeria to intensify prayers and seek divine solution to the challenges bedevilling the country.

Atiku made the call on Saturday and Sunday during a meeting with the Ulama and clergy in Kaduna.

During an Interactive session organised by the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation in conjunction with the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), the Northern Islamic Youth Scholars and Imams as well as Leaders of Women In Daawah, Kaduna on Sunday, the PDP presidential candidate stated that wherever the freedom of religion, peace, and stability are under threat, development and good governance will remain far-fetched.

The former Vice President said the prevailing situation of insecurity, poverty, and economic doldrums in Nigeria “affects all facets of life and engender general underdevelopment”.

“Even if there is good governance whereas people are not free to profess and practice their religion, enjoy peaceful coexistence in a rancor free and progressive atmosphere, then the country will continue to retrogress.

“This is the reason why the Ulama, the clergy, and all Nigerians should pray for divine intervention so that there will be good leadership that would engender overall national development beneficial to all,” Atiku said.

In his remarks, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, described Atiku as “a statesman with sterling leadership qualities”, noting that the gatherings were to seek the blessings of the Ulama and clergy as the party and its presidential candidates prosecute an issue-based campaign.

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While urging the religious stakeholders in the country to continue praying for peace, Governor Tambuwal said the decision of the party to appoint a Christian southerner, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as Atiku’s running mate was for inclusiveness.

“We all know that the need for inclusiveness, justice, and fairness cannot be overemphasized, thus the reason the PDP selected Governor Okowa to be the running mate of our presidential candidate,” Tambuwal said.

He expressed hope that the “messages of prayers and inclusivity that the party is championing” will resonate across the country so that the worrisome condition the nation is facing will end under a PDP presidency “which will rescue it under Atiku as pesident in 2023”.

On his part, the leader of the SCSN, Sheikh Sambo Rigachikun, raised issues about agricultural development, insecurity, unemployment, and volatile forex as areas where future leadership of the country should focus its attention.

He also harped on the need for any government that will be elected to prioritise speedy appointment of qualified persons as ministers.

In the same vein, Sheikh Umar as-Sudani, who appealed to the Ulama to be honest and God-fearing in supporting candidates, said as “apolitical stakeholders, the Ulama has veritable roles to play in the emergence of leaders, freedom of religion and the establishment of proscriptive norms and laws that will deter commitment of vices in line with Islamic teachings.”

Also speaking at the event, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna State, Hon. Isa Kudan, expressed gratitude to Atiku and the party for organising the event.

The event was attended by former Vice President Namadi Sambo; PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; the party’s Deputy Chairman (North), Umar Ilyasu Damagum; Governor Okowa; and the national youth leader of the party, Mohammed Kadade, among others.

The Star