The prayers that healed President Buhari

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”, says Alfred Tennyson.

 I was caught by trepidation, admiration and elation when I went through these lines of a poem titled: Morte D’Arthur by Alfred Tennyson: “Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me? I have lived my life, and that which I have done; May He within Himself make pure! but thou; If thou shouldst never see my face again; Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer; Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice; Rise like a fountain for me night and day; For what are men better than sheep or goats; That nourish a blind life within the brain; If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer; Both for themselves and those who call them friend? For so the whole round earth is every way; Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.

 Nothing can be more assuring that the healing prayers from all Nigerians home and in Diaspora were answered by God. Certainly, a handful of citizens must have prayed otherwise. If not, there would have been no base for the rumoured death. But as I always maintain, God’s will supersedes man’s and God is with President Buhari and Nigerian compatriots. Let the evil plotters against our president and the nation change for good, lest the wrath of God befall them. I appeal to those who vowed to kill themselves if ever the president returned back home not to do so but to tow the path of civility and good citizenship. And for those who promised to accept the change in nationhood and rescind extremism and destructive opposition, this is an ample opportunity to show love for Nigeria and Nigerians.

 Prayer is the key to all success. That is orthodox in most global creeds. Even in the traditional circles, there is the belief of the existence of a Supreme Being who creates everything, gives life, takes away the soul when due, heals the sick, accepts goodness and punishes for wickedness. The marathon round of prayers which were held for President Buhari was impressive and denotes the level of love the citizens have for their leaders, despite pockets of wicked prayers held by those who do not want good for Nigeria and for humanity. But God being so patient, all knowing and omnipotent would not risk the lives and progress of Nigerians for a tiny few. The love for one’s country is an integral part of faith and those who love their country and its good leadership are loved by God. For Nigeria today, there is good leadership which requires continuous prayers and support, not stiff-necked opposition and evil plotting.

 However, the happy story is that the collective prayers of Nigerians have healed President Buhari. Some individually prayed and fasted. Some held open appeals to God in their worship places: Mosques, churches, shrines and niches. For me, the strongest prayers are those done secretly without publicity. It is believed religiously that a prayer held for another person without his/her knowledge is answered. I must commend Nigerians for this unity of purpose which brought the nation’s leader back safe and hearty. This is an unarguable indication that our unity in diversity is an asset and that if we can sincerely tow this path for development, the sky cannot be our limit. I was so impressed by this national concern. It was a very unique national call. It was really a national assignment and an interesting moment for the citizenry. It is therefore worthy to mention a few of the prayer warriors and groups who held prayer sessions that were answered by God for our dear nation.       

  The prayer marathons started from the Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the president rather than believing in rumours. He admonished the citizens to offer prayers for his good health. “Mr. President has always expressed his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes,” he added. The only surviving sister of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Rakiya Adamu, appealed to Nigerians to pray for her brother Mr. President, instead of spreading rumours about his health. She spoke with the NAN in Daura, Katsina state. One of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting during the president’s absence turned into a prayer session as those in attendance took turns to make supplications for the president. Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed was directed by then acting president Yemi Osinbajo to offer the Muslim prayer while the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal said the Christian prayer.

 Like many of the ex-presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo urged Nigerian to pray for Buhari instead of wishing him dead, describing the death rumour as wicked, callous and treacherous and those behind it as abnormal human beings. “Instead of bothering Mr. Buhari with such worrisome declarations of death, what the president needs are our prayers and best wishes, which will ginger his morale to come back stronger and better,” he said and cautioned against politicizing every situation in the country. Gen. Yakubu Gowon and former governor Murtala Nyako led prayer sessions for the president in Adamawa state. Gowon led a two-day prayer session at a Christian rally in Demsa local government area and another in Song local government area of Adamawa state for the president. Supporters of ex-governor Nyako under the banner of an association, Buhari Osinbajo Again (BOA) staged a prayer rally in Yola. At the rally, the council chairman of Hong local government, Ahmad Halliru Lala, called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayers for the successful recovery of Buhari. Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katsina) also organized a marathon prayer session by Islamic scholars and groups in his home town Musawa invoking Allah’s protection, guidance and good health for President Buhari.

 President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, during the formal closing ceremony for the 31st National Qur’anic Memorization Competition in Ilorin called on Nigerians to pray for the president. “There was the need for prayers for the peace, unity, economic prosperity, political stability and general development of the country. On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, joined a group of Northern Christian Women to pray for the president. The prayer session took place in the Speaker’s office when the Christian women leaders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly. “Because we have prayed, God in heaven will answer us. In fact, He is not answering us, He is honouring His word.”

 The Katsina state government in conjunction with Katsina and Daura Emirate Councils held a special prayer session for the improved health of the president. At the Palace of Emir of Katsina, religious scholars from both Izala and Tariqa prayed God to grant the president quick recovery. Governor Aminu Masari called on Nigerians to always pray for their leaders so that they could lead well and noted that bad prayers would only mean bad leadership with consequences on the followers. The Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq, said President Buhari would bounce back and continue to stir the affairs of the country. “We believe in prayer and Allah will accept our prayer and bring back the president.” Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, called for an interfaith prayer service at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan where political, religious and traditional rulers from all the 33 local government areas of the state prayed for peace and well-being of the president. Governor of Ekiti State and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP)’s Governors’ Forum, Dr. Ayodele Fayose wished President Buhari’s sound health and urged Nigerians to jointly pray to God for him.

 Addressing newsmen in Calabar, former vice president Alex Ekweme said “We really need prayers. We are in great difficulty. People are suffering. There is hunger in the land and it is not very encouraging. So we need God’s intervention to help us get out of it.” Elder statesman, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, on his part said: “The president is very healthy and that is the true situation. He is well and he is doing well with the governance of Nigeria. We do not even need to pray for him because he is well and ok.” And Afenifere Chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said Nigerians should be content with the disclosure that president was alright. “The best is to wish him well.”

 During the Annual Convention of the Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah WaIkamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) at the Eagle Square Abuja, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello who represented Mr. President urged religious leaders to support the government, obey constituted authority, preach good morals and inculcate harmonious co-existence. “I urge you to continue to support this administration through prayers so that we can continue to have peace and security and above all pray for Allah’s blessings so that we can have prosperity and good governance”, he said. The National Chairman of the Ulama Council of JIBWIS, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, prayed for the president and his administration and charged Muslims all over the country to do same. The Nasirul-Lahi-l-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) organized a special Juma’t prayer for Nigeria, the president and Nigerians in general. Zonal missioner and Chief Imam of NASFAT Mosque, Abuja, Imam Sharafudeen AbdulSalam Aliagan who thanked Allah for seeing the president through in his health condition.  “We seek Allah’s divine intervention and direction on the affairs of this great country, Nigeria and Nigerians; direct our President and members of his cabinet to the path of economic prosperity, political stability, social justice and ethno-religious tolerance.”

 Almost all the governors of the northern states held special prayers for the president. That was carried out by many other prominent Nigerians. Rallies in support of the president were held in many states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja especially in opposition to the protest rallies proposed by Tuface Idibia against the federal government. In Nasarawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara, Ebonyi, Abia, Niger, Osun, Edo and many other states special prayers were held at the various grounds and worship places. For instance, Muslim faithful across the 13 local councils and the 18 development areas of Nasarawa state converged on the states’ central prayer ground and held a special prayer session for the president. The Chief Imam, Lafia Central Mosque, Mallam Dalhatu Dahiru, admonished both Muslim and Christian faithful to pray daily for the president’s quick recovery.

 Tears rolled down the cheeks of Kebbi state governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu during a special prayer held at Birnin Kebbi Eid praying ground for the president and the unity of Nigeria. Islamic leaders, Chief Imams of different Mosques and associations, as well as Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, deputy governor Samaila Dabai and other top government officers attended the event. In Taraba state, Muslim and Christian faithful prayed too. At the Jalingo Eid prayer ground, representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Baba Yerima, a Muslim cleric Ustaz Ali Babando and Secretary, Taraba Chapter of the Buhari Support Organization (BSO), Alhaji Sani Tullu, said praying for the well-being of Buhari was the duty of every true believer. They said the president has brought peace and unity to the country and therefore urged the gathering to pray for leaders at all times.

 At the National Mosque, Abuja, the deputy Chief Imams, Dr. Sheikh Ibrahim Ahmad Makari, Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura and Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Adam Muhammad took their turns every Friday to pray fervently for Mr. President. Sheikh Makari in one of the Friday sermons declared among others in Arabic language: “May the Almighty Allah heal our dear President, protect him and bring him back safely to Nigeria”. This was followed by a thunderous “ameen” by the congregation. In Kaduna, Chairman of the state chapter of the Jama’atu Nasil Islam, Alhaji Jafaru Makarfi, said all Mosques offered special prayers for the well-being of the President based on instructions from the national body led by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General Jama’atu Nasirl Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who also ordered prayers for an end to Southern Kaduna crisis. JNI Secretary-General and chairman of Council of Imams and Ulamas, Dr, Khalid Aliyu, JNI Vice President-General, and Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris; Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly, many Islamic and socio-political organizations, security agencies and Islamic scholars were in attendance.

 In Daura local government area of Katsina State, over 50,000 youths gathered in a solidarity rally for the Buhari administration. Under the auspices of Buhari Youth Congress for Change (BYCC), they held special prayers for the quick recovery of the president in their various Mosques across the state. In Kano, Chief Imam of Pyramid Radio Mosque, Mallam Dauda Lokon Makera, with over 2000 Muslim faithful converged for same purpose. Similarly on one Friday, at Issa-Elelu Central and Ratibi Mosques as well as in Lafiagi and Shonga in Kwara state, Muslims held prayers for the recovery of the president. Prominent citizens including Senator Shaaba Lafiagi, Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’-Allah and the Emir of Ilorin noted that the prayers being held for the president across the country were genuine because the people were united and eager to overcome the challenges facing the country.

 Nigerian students under the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) declared a three day worship congregation from March 8 to pray on behalf of the president. Its national president, Chinonso Obasi observed: “As leaders of tomorrow and champions of a better Nigeria, we should not be left out in the national call for prayers for the president, especially now that his presence is needed for the country to navigate its way out of economic recession and political despair.” He said that the prayers of 40 million Nigerian students would bring quick recovery and rejuvenation to the president.

 The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev (Dr.) Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, through his Special Assistant (Media and Communications), Pastor Adebayo Oladeji urged Nigerians, especially Christians, not to cease praying for a total and perfect healing for the president. “CAN rejoices with the family of President Muhammadu Buhari, the government and the whole nation and will continue praying for his full recovery in order to be able to continue the task of rebuilding the country and most especially, to end the economic recession and its attendant problems.” Rev. Ayokunle praised Buhari for handing over power to his deputy as mandated by the constitution and commended Osinbajo too for living up to the expectation of his principal and the people. He expressed optimism that prayers from the citizens, complimenting the efforts of those who are at the helm of the affairs will go a long way in bringing back the golden era with an accelerated speed. “Our God who did it in Samaria is still on the throne on our behalf.”

 In Ebonyi, Imo and Abia states, APC members prayed too. At the Police Mosque, Abakaliki, APC stalwart Dr. Haroun O. Ajah led Muslim faithful after the Jum’at sermon in a prayer session for the president and Nigeria. APC women in Abia state converged at the party’s secretariat in Umuahia with fasting and prayers for the speedy recovery of the president. The state women leader, Mrs. Ikwuegbu Phelomina, urged Nigerian women to stand up for the change movement by the present government. “I charge you to continue in prayers for the country, the president and the womenfolk,” she said. Also Muslims of Igboland in Abuja under the aegis of South East Muslim Organization prayed for Mr. President and the nation. The prayer session held at the National Mosque Abuja was led by the Igbo translator of the Juma’t sermons, Barr. Haroun Ezeh. A socio-political group under the aegis of Cross River State Progressives Forum observed a five-day fasting and prayer in Calabar for the president. Chairman of the group, Eyo Nsa-Ekpo said: “As you are aware this group has been in support of the administration of Buhari and would continue to support the president because of the good works he is doing in Nigeria. So we pray for his quick recovery so he can return to continue the good works he is doing for the country.”

 Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state at an event organized to honour Aliyu Wamakko, the immediate past governor of the state said the president needed the support and fervent prayers of all Nigerians, irrespective of creed, religion or ethnicity. Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, former Kaduna governor and PDP’s national caretaker committee chairman, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for Buhari. “We are happy to welcome the president but PDP will continue to pray for the president; all Nigerians should do same.” He said presiding over Nigeria was a huge task, so “we must pray for sound and steady health so that Buhari can effectively handle that tough job,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in a telephone in Jos.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, led the people of Nupe Kingdom to offer special prayer sessions for the president. At the occasion, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani opined that prayers were the antidote to the various challenges of human. Modibbo Haruna Buhari Charity Organization (BCO) and Yoruba youths under the aegis of Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide, at press conferences appealed to Nigerians to continue to offer special prayers for the recovery and safe return of the president. The Lagos monarch, Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu, after a brief meeting with then Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, like Emir of Kano, Sanusi Muhammed Sanusi II earlier did, prayed to the Almighty Allah for the president’s health. “All of us should pray for the two of them and for Nigeria to be very successful provided we are close to God and very absolutely honest in everything we are doing. All will be well with us.”

 The leadership of several oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta in the same vein declared three days of fasting and prayer for the safe return of Mr. President. National Chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria, (HOSCON), an umbrella body of all areas producing oil and gas, Dr. (Bishop) Mike Emuh, said the decision to embark on the religious exercise was hinged on its belief that the current government was capable of solving the problems of the region. Through the group’s spokesman, Monday Whisky, Emuh said 50 clerics from the affected oil and gas producing areas supervised the events. “Host Communities of Nigeria as a grassroots oriented and people’s friendly pressure group believes strongly in the efficacy of fasting and prayers in addressing whatever health challenges our dear president has now.”

 The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said about 65,000 of its members in Katsina state observed seven-day fasting and prayers for the president. CAN Chairman in the state, Rev. Nelson Onyeka Chukwu said that the prayers were offered at Mountain of Fire Church at Kofar-Kaura, and in six other Churches including Church of God Mission, Calvary Baptist, ECWA, St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church, C&S, Dutsin-ma road and St. John’s Anglican Church, Katsina. ‘’We are praying for our President’s quick recovery because of the good works he had begun for the country,’’ he said. CAN in Niger State through its Chairman, Rev. Echioda Mathias called for prayers for leaders. “It is God who made Buhari our leader; therefore, we should imbibe the habit of praying for his well-being.” The General Overseer Christ Dominion Embassy known as (Mountain of Safety) Worldwide, Kaduna, Pastor Lazarus Terna, declared 21 days fasting and prayers for the president and his vice for divine protection and good health. Equally, Bishop Martins Uzoukwu of Minna Diocese called on Nigerians to pray for the president and the country. “Irrespective of religion or tribe, it is necessary to support the government to move forward and prayer is one of the ways to achieve that.”

 Imams in about 350 out of 542 Jum’at Mosques in Maiduguri, Jere, Biu, Bayo, Shani, Kwaya-Kusar and other parts of Borno state, at the request of Governor Kashim Shettima, led thousands of worshipers to offer special prayers for the president. The prayers coincided with the day former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also called on Nigerians of all faiths to lift up their hands in prayers for the nation’s leader. Atiku in a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, said each and every one was a mere mortal, irrespective of how great or highly accomplished. Pastors under the CAN did similar prayers in all churches across the state. Internally displaced residents in places like Gwoza, Konduga, Monguno, Damboa, Dikwa, Askira, Kaga and many other parts where residents have returned after liberation of their communities by the military participated.

 The Northern Youth Union (NYU) described as a good omen the prayers and peace rally organized for President Muhammadu Buhari by many Nigerians because it was a sign of unity among all irrespective of tribe or religion. President of the Union, Comrade Abdulhadi Ibrahim Kankiya said the prayers were indication of acceptance of his leadership style. The list is numberless. But one thing is clear. The numerous prayer sessions and peaceful rallies are signals of future hopes, high expectations, greatness and unity of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari whose wife Aisha on arrival from Saudi Arabia after performing the lesser Hajj thanked Nigerians for all their support and prayers for her husband.     

 Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk.