The Season of Lent and the Holy Month of Ramadan, which commenced on the same day, Wednesday 18 February, 2026, mark a “moment of extraordinary spiritual convergence in Nigeria”, Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, said on X.
In his message titled ‘A Rare Spiritual Convergence to Cherish and Revere’ to Christians and Muslims, the “rare coincidence” of Lent and Ramadan is a “powerful symbol of the possibility of national renewal”.
The member of the Coalition Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), said, Nigeria is abundantly endowed with ample resources, however, its progress has been “hindered” by “poor” leadership.
Obi said: “Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marks a moment of extraordinary spiritual convergence in Nigeria — a nation richly blessed by God with abundant resources, yet long hindered by poor leadership. For the first time in many years, the Christian season of Lent and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begin on the same day.”
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Describing governance in Nigeria as “ineffective”, Obi said, both seasons which are “sacred” are marked by fasting, and tagged the “convergence” as “”Double Fast””, saying, it is a holy invitation to “rediscover our shared humanity”.
The former Labour Party (LP) member said: “This rare coincidence is far more than a meeting of dates; it is a powerful symbol of shared sacrifice, reflection, and the possibility of national renewal at a time when our collective identity has been strained by ineffective governance.
“It is striking that both sacred seasons are marked by fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving. We may therefore see this convergence as what might fittingly be called a “Double Fast” — a divine invitation to transcend our differences and rediscover our shared humanity.”
He urged Nigerians in their millions, who are staying away from food and drink for forty (40) days, to not hesitate to seek for God’s mercy for the healing of Nigeria.
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Obi encouraged Nigerians to go on their knees and pray against “insecurity and economic hardships” resisting the progress of Nigeria, but, he added, Nigeria cannot be delivered from its problems by prayer alone; he said, prayer must go hand-in-hand with action.
The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) said: “As millions of Nigerians — Christians and Muslims alike, from North to South — abstain from food and drink, or devote themselves to forty days of penance and prayer, we are united in a single purpose: to seek the mercy of the Almighty for the healing of our land.
“This rare coincidence, this shared season of fasting, calls for intensified prayer against the insecurity and economic hardship confronting our country. But prayer alone is not enough; it must be paired with action.
“Many will rightly see this period as a necessary spiritual reset for our troubled nation.”
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Obi said, let the “hunger” confronting Nigerians make them remember the “suffering” of their neighbours, as he prayed that our sacrifices during the period of Lent and Ramadan be accepted.
He said: “Let this season become a time of deep spiritual engagement. May our hunger remind us of our neighbours’ suffering, and may our prayers stand as a shield over our nation. May our sacrifices be accepted, and may this unique alignment usher in a lasting era of peace and unity across Nigeria.
“A Holy Lent and Ramadan Kareem to all.”
