The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to use yuletide season to remember the victims of insurgency in the country.
The party made the call in a Christmas message issued by Mr Olisa Metuh, its National Publicity Secretary, in Abuja.
Metuh, who wished Nigerians happy Christmas and end of year celebrations, also urged them to bring succour to the survivors and families of those who died due to the insurgency.
He stressed that this year’s Christmas must be devoted to restoring joy to homes in grief.
Metuh specifically implored Nigerians to extend their gesture to the families of the dead, wounded officers and men of the Nigerian security forces.
“As we celebrate Christmas, we deem it very necessary that Nigerians share their happiness with compatriots who have lost their bread winners, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, husbands and wives to insurgency.
“It deserves every thought that those who paid the price and those in the battlefield to keep us safe be remembered,’’ Metuh said.
He added that as the birth of Jesus Christ brought hope and fulfilment to mankind, the PDP would want Nigerians to rally round and console the families of the wounded and dead.
He, therefore, enjoined members of the PDP and other Nigerians to look around their neighbourhood for such families and extend goodwill to them by visiting and cheering them up.
Metuh said that this year’s Christmas, which comes at the eve of the 2015 general elections, had abundant lessons for the citizenry.
“The February 2015 general elections must also bring joy and not fear and agony to our people.
“Those who may be eying violence as a vehicle to achieve what the wishes of the people may deny them at the polls must have a rethink,” he urged.
Metuh, however, called on all Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan in his resolve for peaceful conduct of the upcoming polls.
