The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians of its commitment to securing the nation from all fifth columnists and secessionist elements.

But, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr as an opportunity to unite in confronting the challenges facing the nation.

The APC gave its assurance yesterday in a Sallah message by the party’s Secretary, Caretaker/ Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in Abuja.

The party urged Muslim faithful and Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the country’s peace and development as well as for the leaders.

It called “on all people of goodwill and patriotic citizens to use the occasion to extend their spiritual support for the efforts of our administration in its continued quest to place the country on the path of economic prosperity.

“As we celebrate, we enjoin Nigerians to use this period to demonstrate the essence of Ramadan which is about personal sacrifice and sharing with the less-privileged.

“We also urge Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for our leaders and the country’s peace and development. Our collective efforts are required to ensure that citizens enjoy the many pro-people developmental strides of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in an atmosphere of peace.”

In a statement by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party stressed that the virtues of self-sacrifice, love, perseverance and inner peace embodied in the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan should continue to guide Nigerians as a people to face and overcome the challenges of life, particularly the evils confronting the nation today.

“As a people, we are faced by all sorts of new surge in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, vandalism; recklessness and insensitivity in governance as well as the menace of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Indeed, this is the time for Nigerians to keep hope alive believing that with trust in God and unity of all, this ugly phase in the life of our nation will surely pass”, the party said.