All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to let kindness reign as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Tinubu, in a Christmas message on Thursday in Lagos, also beseeched all to place in their hearts and minds the commitment to be more tolerant and less judgmental of their fellow being.

He said: “Give those who currently lack kindness not criticism; give them bread and meat, not bitterness and despair.

Tinubu, while congratulating Christians, explained that Christmas is a day to be thankful for as Jesus Christ provided a precious gift unto us.

He urged all to act in the spirit and teachings of Jesus.

The former governor of Lagos urged Nigerians to celebrate in moderation and adhere to all COVID-19 protocols to limit the spread of the disease.

“I must beseech you to forgo such large gatherings this year for the sake of our collective health.

“In its essence, Christmas is a celebration of life and this year we best celebrate life by doing what we must do to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this terrible virus.

“Yet, we also must take solace in the fact that nothing, not even this virus, can rob us of the spirit of Christmas and the hope and brotherly love it represents.

“With the emergence of the coronavirus, 2020 has been as a plane flying through turbulent skies, a year that has raised challenges like no other year has.

“Yet, by the grace of God, we have persevered and shall continue to move forward,” he said

Tinubu noted that in normal times, Christmas offered Nigerians of all faiths an opportunity to gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

“Unfortunately, COVID came to steal much from us.

“But if we act in the spirit of Jesus, we shall defeat this disease and the other ills it seeks to impose on us.

“Despite all that we have gone through, let kindness reign during this period.

“Let us place in our hearts and minds the commitment to be more tolerant and less judgmental of our fellow man.

“As the pressures of this year try to push us low, we must adhere to the teachings and manner of Jesus to uplift ourselves and this great nation.

“By doing so, we not only celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate his life and the divine reason he came to live among us,” the APC leader said.

According to Tinubu, “it is difficult to say “Merry Christmas” because the moment which we now inhabit does not lend itself to merriment.

He, however, wished each and every Nigerian a peaceful, prosperous and meaningful Christmas.

“I pray that we act toward each other as Jesus instructed.

“If we can do this, we will emerge from the current turbulence a much better people, society and nation,” he said.

Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has charged Nigerians to show love to one another as they celebrate Christmas on Friday.

The former president, in a statement extended his warm felicitations to Nigerians as the world celebrates Christmas to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

According to Jonathan, the spirit of Christmas required people of the world to rededicate themselves to friendship, kindness and compassion.

“Christmas is the day, in the calendar of Christendom, that marks the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is a commemoration that connects the world to love, selflessness, sacrifice and solidarity; which are the virtues that Christ unambiguously propagated.

“Jesus’ message of salvation speaks to the essence of both spiritual deliverance and earthly redemption. It is a constant reminder that humanity will have a more peaceful existence if people of the world rededicate themselves to friendship, kindness and compassion.

“People have been through so much in 2020, including navigating the snares of the deadly novel Covid19 pandemic. At Christmas the world needs love. This is the spirit we have to imbibe to heal all that is broken in our world,” he stated.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, urged Christians and all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of Christmas celebration to rededicate themselves to God.

Abubakar urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayers, which he believed have an immense impact on the peace, security, unity and stability of the nation.

He said it was important for Nigerians to inject the healing and unifying serum of love for their neighbours into the nation’s consciousness this season.

He urged Nigerians to think good and sow better action to make the country more desirable because restoring the country’s glory was everyone’s responsibility.

“On this significant occasion of Christmas, I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly the Christian faithful on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Christmas is a time of love, therefore, I call on all Nigerians to emulate the essence of this season and unite for the greater good of our dear country.

“This period reminds us of the need to uphold the virtues of love, selflessness and tolerance.

“I call on all Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of the season, which presents an opportunity to love and share,” he said.

The former vice president called on Nigerians to also remember their fellow citizens, the personnel of the armed forces.

This according to him, includes those who lost their lives in 2020, fighting to protect citizens from terrorist attacks, banditry, kidnapping and other threats against national security.

“The message of Christmas, according to the Christian faith is one of unprecedented self-sacrifice to redeem humanity, so it is the season of love, joy, generosity and forgiveness.

“Even as we celebrate with friends and family, we should also spend time to pray for a more peaceful and prosperous nation.

“As a nation, we can achieve more if we stay united, extend hands of fellowship to one another and be law abiding.

“We must also rededicate ourselves to the virtues of faith in God, love for one another and make these virtues more evident and practical in our daily living”, he added.

Abubakar wished all Christians as well as other Nigerians a merry Christmas celebration.