The two leaders survived the attacks that killed more than 40 people.
Speaking when a delegation of the Muslim community, led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, paid him Sallah homage at his official residence, in Abuja on Sunday, President Jonathan appealed to clerics in the country to preach peace and unity to their followers “and not the gospel of hate”, saying that the country could not develop without peace.
He said: "People wanted to kill them (Muhammadu Buhari and Sheik Dahiru Bauchi); those who planned the attacks are clearly sons of the devil, because if they had killed these two people, we wouldn’t have been here today; this country would have been in turmoil. We couldn’t have gathered here to celebrate."
Mr. Jonathan thanked God for saving their lives and preventing "a major calamity" that would have befallen the country.
The president restated that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to end the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country.
He used the opportunity to renew his call on Nigerians to continue to work with government in that regard:
"Government is looking on how to raise funds; in fact, we are launching the fund on Thursday. This is to ensure that the widows, orphans, those whose business premises have been vandalised and even our worship places, mosques and churches, that have been destroyed, we will rebuild.
"Government alone cannot do it because we will need huge sums of money. The Nigerian private sector is vibrant and willing if they see sincerity in government."
Mr. Jonathan said that he was honoured by the visit of the Muslim community after the Ramadan and prayed God to listen to and answer their prayers.
Earlier, Mr. Sambo commended the president for fasting with Muslims during the Ramadan, and for welcoming the delegation to his residence.
He prayed God to continue to give the president wisdom and guidance to lead the country to greater prosperity. The vice president also prayed for peace in Nigeria and for Allah to bring all evil, including Boko Haram, to an end.
"Government is looking on how to raise funds; in fact, we are launching the fund on Thursday. This is to ensure that the widows, orphans, those whose business premises have been vandalised and even our worship places, mosques and churches, that have been destroyed, we will rebuild.
"Government alone cannot do it because we will need huge sums of money. The Nigerian private sector is vibrant and willing if they see sincerity in government."
Mr. Jonathan said that he was honoured by the visit of the Muslim community after the Ramadan and prayed God to listen to and answer their prayers.
Earlier, Mr. Sambo commended the president for fasting with Muslims during the Ramadan, and for welcoming the delegation to his residence.
He prayed God to continue to give the president wisdom and guidance to lead the country to greater prosperity. The vice president also prayed for peace in Nigeria and for Allah to bring all evil, including Boko Haram, to an end.
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