It’s another Christmas season and I congratulate fellow Nigerians and in particular the Christian faithful on the occasion of this year’s Christmas – a special festival to commemorate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is a special gift to mankind from God.
The import of this day – every December 25 – cannot be lost on us. It’s for appreciating God’s mercy over us despite our sinful ways, His love, forgiveness, salvation, peace and charity, among other inexplicable benefits of Jesus’ birth. Therefore, we must live our lives to reflect these benefits at all times.
Sadly, the political climate in our dear country is currently hostile occasioned by high-level intolerance of dissenting political views and right to a peaceful protest, among other anti-democratic tendencies. It is needless to say that our democratic credentials as a nation are incomplete if the state resort to high-handedness, suppression of opposing views and direct attack on citizens.
For the avoidance of doubt, it remains my unshakable belief that we will be better off as a nation if we tolerate all shades of opinion and operate within the confines of the rule of law in dealing with all issues.
Above all, let’s remain united as one people and one nation. Let’s promote and cherish peace in all parts of the country even as we pray for ourselves, leaders and government in the quest to achieve a united and peaceful Nigeria.
Happy Christmas to my people in Kogi West senatorial zone, all Kogites and Nigerians at large, wishing you all a prosperous New Year 2020.
Signed:
Senator Dino Melaye.