Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has urged locals to avoid inflammatory language and to work towards reconciliation and unity instead.
In his Friday message to locals for Eid al-Fitr, the minister made the request.
Bello reminded residents that the elections were over and that it was now time for healing, but urged them to work together and with the incoming administration to build the city.
“Permit me to also use this opportunity to remind residents that the elections are over and the time for healing and coming together as a common people with a common destiny is now upon us.
“Let us eschew all utterances and actions that tend to divide us and instead, promote those that unite us and advance the peace, stability and economic and social growth of our country. We should remember that we, as residents of the FCT, are stronger together in spite of our differences.
“We should therefore join hands together with each other and the in-coming Administration to continue to build the FCT in accordance with the dreams of the founding fathers”.
Bello also called for prayers for a smooth transition of power in the coming weeks.
“Let us also use the opportunity provided by the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations to pray for our country Nigeria, that Almighty Allah will ensure a smooth transition of power to a new administration in a few weeks’ time, while also thanking Him for the conduct of a free and fair electoral process”.
While felicitating with Muslims in the FCT, the Minister charged them to continue to show compassion for the less privileged and to remain security conscious, and cooperate with law enforcement officers.
“As we celebrate, let us spare a thought for the less privileged members of our society and stretch out our hands of fellowship and generosity towards them as was done during the Holy Month. The end of Ramadan need not signal the end of compassion towards one another.
“As we celebrate, I urge us all to be security conscious and imbibe the mantra of saying something when we see something and also cooperate with law enforcement officers at all times”.