Pray for Tinubu’s Re-Election, Umahi Urges Muslims at Eid Celebration in Ebonyi
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on Nigerians, particularly Muslim faithful, to continue praying for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a leader demonstrating uncommon commitment toward solving Nigeria’s challenges and repositioning the country for progress.
Umahi made the appeal while hosting Muslim leaders and faithful at his residence in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as part of activities marking the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The Minister said the annual gathering reflects the spirit of unity, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence that has continued to thrive in Ebonyi State over the years.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works and signed by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works on Media, on May 27, 2026.
Speaking during the event, Umahi noted that Muslims of different ethnic backgrounds, including Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba extractions, have consistently participated in the annual Sallah celebration organised by him and his family.
“And from those of Igbo extraction, Hausa extraction, and Yoruba extraction, all in Ebonyi State, every year during Sallah, we have always invited them. Sometimes, we join them with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to celebrate because I strongly believe that we are worshipping one God,” he said.
The Minister disclosed that the Muslim faithful were provided with gifts including cash, bags of rice, and groundnut oil to support them in celebrating the festival with their families.
“So today, I invited them to receive gifts — cash, rice, and groundnut oil so they can buy their rams and celebrate,” Umahi stated.
He used the occasion to passionately urge Nigerians to pray for the President’s health, strength, and political success, insisting that Tinubu remains focused on addressing the country’s pressing challenges.
“We need to pray for the President for health, strength, and his re-election because the President means well for Nigeria. He means well for our country,” the Minister said.
Umahi further expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership capacity, arguing that critics of the administration have failed to provide practical alternatives to the government’s ongoing reforms.
“I do not see any other person with the kind of commitment he has towards the daunting challenges we have in Nigeria, and nobody has been able to come out and say, ‘Listen, this particular area that you are criticizing, this is the best way to go about it.’ So, let us pray for the President,” he added.
The Minister also called for prayers for Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
“Let us also pray for all our governors. In Ebonyi State in particular, we pray for the President, we pray for Governor Nwifuru, and we pray for all the APC candidates, that God will strengthen and keep them, and continue to help them deliver the dividends of democracy,” he stated.
Umahi concluded by extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithful across Ebonyi State and Nigeria, while specially wishing President Tinubu a happy Sallah celebration.
“I want to wish not just those in Ebonyi State, but our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the country, a happy Sallah. And I say happy Sallah in particular to Mr. President,” he said.
