By Our Correspondent
In a solemn Christmas message, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure, has called for a national revival of the selfless and sacrificial spirit embodied by Jesus Christ and Nigeria’s founding fathers, stating that this virtue is the missing ingredient needed to steer the country towards progress.
The message, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and released on Wednesday, extended felicitations to Nigerians, particularly Christian faithful, while urging a deeper reflection on the season’s essence beyond mere celebration.
Abure lamented that the profound reasons for Christ’s advent are often misunderstood, leading some to engage in “illegal and inappropriate activities” in a misguided search for happiness.
He refocused attention on Christ’s core attributes: “Being God himself, He became poor that we might through Him become rich. He sacrificed His life so that we might through Him have everlasting life.”
The LP Chairman directly linked the nation’s challenges to a deficit of these virtues in contemporary leadership. “These two Christ attributes of selflessness and sacrifiality are lacking in most Nigerians, particularly, the ruling class,” Abure stated.
He argued that empathy from leaders would end the “primitive acquisition of wealth by a few individuals,” freeing up resources for critical national infrastructure, schools, and hospitals.
To chart a way forward, Abure pointed to Nigeria’s historical exemplars. He asserted that the nation would “continue to struggle” until today’s leaders imbibe the sacrificial attributes of founding figures like Malam Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Malam Aminu Kano.
The message also contained a pointed symbolic charge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to “use the broom which is his party’s logo to sweep away corruption in the country.”
Abure warned that “no government can survive until corruption is fought to a standstill,” citing Jesus Christ as “an example of a corrupt-free leader” who held his disciples accountable.
On security, the Labour Party Chairman praised the “gallantry efforts” of the military and security agencies for ensuring relative peace during the season.
He called on Nigerians to intensify prayers over security challenges and tasked President Tinubu to adequately encourage the armed forces to sustain their efforts.
The message concluded with a call for prayer and a hopeful “Merry Christmas to Nigerians,” framing the festive period as a time for national introspection and a recommitment to foundational values of sacrifice and service.
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