Nigeria’s House of Representatives leadership gathered with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock on Monday for an iftar (breaking of fast) during Ramadan. During this significant gathering, the legislators pledged their support to the President and announced a substantial donation of N705 million—representing half of their salaries—toward government humanitarian initiatives.
House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the invitation and for consistently showing respect toward the House of Representatives. “The month of Ramadan entails many things, one of them is reflection; where were you before, where are you now and where do you want to be? I believe Nigeria more than ever before needs this type of reflection,” Abbas noted during the event.
The Speaker encouraged both Christians and Muslims to use this period for national prayer, highlighting the achievements of the Tinubu administration in its relatively short tenure. He specifically called for prayers focused on the economy, improved security, and for both leaders and citizens of Nigeria.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, urged National Assembly leaders to prioritize national unity and development over political divisions. “We are gathered here this evening not as adversaries in a contest for power, but as partners in the noble task of nation-building,” Shettima remarked.
The Vice President emphasized the significance of this period, which coincides with the Christian Lenten season, as a time for deep introspection and renewed commitment to Nigeria’s unity. “What binds us as a nation is far greater than what divides us,” he stated.
Shettima praised President Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as a leader of vision and inclusivity who trusts legislators as “stewards of our democracy” and “voices of the people.” He also assured Nigerians that the government’s economic policies are beginning to yield positive results, noting that “The economy has turned the corner. We are now on the path to sustained economic growth.”
The Vice President also commended Speaker Abbas and the House leadership for maintaining harmony within the legislature, stating that “There can be no development without peace, and there can be no peace without development.”
Shettima concluded by reminding the assembled leaders that their positions represent a sacred trust placed in them by the Nigerian people, emphasizing that “Leadership is not about personal gain; it is about service.”
