Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has urged Nigerians to pray for Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders in the country. He made the call on Tuesday in a meeting with the chief imams of Jummat mosques across the state, according to a statement by Mamman Mohammed, the Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor. The first phase of the meeting organised for Muslim and Christian clerics in the state was attended by over 800 chief imams of the various Friday Jummat mosques.

Buni explained that Nigeria is in need of prayers against internal and external evil machinations for peace to reign and for Nigeria to prosper. He explained that there would be no meaningful development without peace, “and that is why it is important for us to come together to support our leaders to save our country”. Buni reminded the religious leaders of the sad and unfortunate experience of the state at the peak of the Boko Haram challenge.

“Many people were killed, millions displaced, and property destroyed. We cannot afford to be drawn back to such an experience. Therefore, we should support our leaders for Nigeria to remain united and peaceful.

“We thank God for the relative peace we now enjoy, and we cannot afford to toy with it. We will support the federal government to guard it jealously,” Gov Buni added. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Ustaz Babagana Malam Kyari, said the meeting was to remind the Imams of the need to pray for Nigeria and all the leaders. The Special Adviser said the second phase of the meeting would cover pastors and leaders of all churches across the state.