President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday praised Nigerians over the “conduct of peaceful elections” this year.

Buhari said this was in spite of what he called “doomsday predictions of social disharmony” that there might be no elections at all.

His position was contained in a message to mark today’s Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, quoted the President as saying,

“Before the 2019 General Elections, prophets of doom didn’t give the country a chance to conduct peaceful elections. Despite these fears, the country overcame its political challenges.

“For abandoning their business in order to vote, the voters had demonstrated great patriotism in coming out to  exercise their civic duty.

“ Let  me use this opportunity once again to reassure all Nigerians that your sacrifices in voting for me won’t be in vain. I will ensure the ordinary voters feel the positive impact of government.”

On the lessons of the just concluded Ramadan fast, the President noted, “The Ramadan period is meant to reinforce us spiritually; therefore, we should use religion as an inspiration to do good at all times.

“The virtues of the Ramadan should be sustained beyond the celebration.

Going back to bad ways after  the Ramadan might defeat the essence of the message and lessons the fasting period was supposed to inculcate in the hearts and minds of the Muslim faithful.”