A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi has again urged the country’s leaders to shun personal aggrandisement and rather deploy the nation’s resources to make life more meaningful for the citizenry.
Showunmi said that it is high time the nation’s leaders live minimally, shun greed and be committed to serving the people just like the late former leader, Muhammad Buhari
The PDP chieftain spoke on Friday in Abeokuta at the 40th day prayer and firdau held for former leader, Buhari who died on July 13 at a UK hospital after a brief illness.
Showunmi said that he organised the Fidau prayers in memory of the late leader’s decent living and commitment to selfless service and national development
Speaking to newsmen, the Alternative Movement convener stated that Buhari lived a simple and example-worthy life and refrained from interfering in the nation’s internal affairs after leaving office.
He revealed that the prayer was a way to encourage leaders to live moral lives knowing that people are watching, insisting that people who put in their best effort will always be rewarded with prayers.
He prayed that the Almighty Allah grant the former president paradise.
He said, “On this day we gather in Abeokuta and Katsina to pray and remember Former President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR). May Almighty Allah reward him with Paradise.
“This is to in a little way encourage leaders to live right knowing that people are watching. I observed how minimally Buhari lived and how sacrificially he maintained a less-than-flamboyant life.
“I observed how disciplined he went about his activities while on earth and I complete our mourning of him today with a 40th-day prayer in Abeokuta where I come from and where he also lived in his early days at Alamala barracks and Katsina where he is from.
“Hopefully, we can inspire ourselves and future leaders that prayers follow those who have tried their best.
“I believe that we have a duty to look at the life of leaders or anybody that around us. And if we find good things in them, we should try to emulate them. And if we see things that are not unworthy, we should try to avoid them.”
The PDP Chieftain prayed that the longstanding relationship, love and cooperation between the North and South, particularly the Yorubas and their northern relatives, would be maintained.
The prayer led by the Chief Imam of Keesi central mosque, Abeokuta Ogun State, Sheikh Akeem Olorunisola, advised Nigerians to emulate the good deeds of the former and late president, saying everyone would give an account at the end of their lives.
Meanwhile, the guest lecturer, Muhammad Robiu Adekolu, emphasised the need for all to have the fear of Allah.
Adekolu pointed out that Buhari lived his life in complete fear of God and held the office of the president without owning a private jet or university like other leaders, expressing belief that his good deeds were the reason The Alternative held a prayer session for him.
