By Chinyere Aruogu
As Muslims celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Mohammed today , December 12 , Nigerian leaders have extended their felicitations to them , urging tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The federal government declared today a public holiday to commemorate the birth of Mohammed.
In his good will message on Sunday , December 11 , President Muhammadu Buhari urged his Muslim brothers and sisters to make love, peace and tolerance which are the cornerstone of their faith the essence of the celebration.
Also, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki as well as the ruling All Progressive Congress preached tolerance and love, and urged Nigerians to continue to show commitment to the leadership of the party in changing their fortunes.
The APC in a statement by the chairman, John Odigie Oyegun, asked Muslims in particular to shun violence and all acts inimical to what Mohammed stood for.
They also condemned the bomb blast in Maiduguri on Sunday, December 11 , and regretted that those who engaged in such acts were not true followers of Prophet Mohammed.