Stories by Awaal Gata
Activities were low key in Abuja as Easter was celebrated last weekend.
Our correspondent who went round reports that this was however expected as the country is in elections season.
There was low patronage at the motor parks, shops, amusement parks and gardens, unlike the previous years.
Tony Agoma, who was at the Millennium Park with his kids, attributed the low key celebration to next Saturday’s elections.
He said many Abuja residents had traveled a week before the presidential election, for the fear of post-election violence, adding that “Abuja would not stop being a ghost of itself until after the guber polls.”
Officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the motor park however declined comments on the situation.
Drivers were however seen sleeping in their vehicles at the motor park due to the low patronage by passengers
Our correspondent also reports that in spite of recent security challenges in the country, some residents still expressed confidence in the security agencies.
Isioma Akpena, a resident, told our correspondent that her visit to the Wonderland Amusement Park was because of the high presence of the police and military men at the entrance.
“I am overwhelmed by the presence of security officials at the park. It gives me an impression of safety for people at the park,’’ she said.
Some other residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity at the Millennium Park, said they felt safe to go out because “it is the duty of government to provide security for the citizens’’.
A number of clergymen who spoke to Blueprint however called for peace and fear of God by citizens of the country in order for all to live in harmony.
Rev. Ochei Louis, the Vicar of the All Souls Anglican Church at ACO/AMAC Estate in Lugbe, urged Christians to show love to all men this Easter.
“Let no man put his trust in another man. Our confidence and security should be in looking towards God, in as much as government is putting in efforts to address insecurity in the country,” he said.
Louis urged all citizens to put their hope in God like never before and keep praying for peace.
Pastor Segun Odex, the Chairman of Bwari Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said the Easter celebration would bring Nigerians together as one.
He however urged Nigerians to imbibe the fear of God in order to celebrate the Easter in peace and not in disharmony.
