ABUJA- Residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, especially the Christians, visited various parks after church services to celebrate Easter festival.
Mr Sunday Ifeanyi, who came with his family to the Monolisa Amusement park in Area 11, Abuja, told newsmen that he was in a festive mood.
Ifeanyi, a civil servant, said that the Easter Day celebration was victory for Christians and that he was in the park with his family to have some fun.
“With the relative peace we are enjoying in the country, many families will like to have fun; the prevailing situation has encouraged us to come out,’’ he said.
Mrs Maryam Abudullahi, a Muslim, said she was in the Monolisa Park to have fun with her children.
“I came with my four children to have fun; I am a Muslim, but the public holiday is for everybody and I think the children will like to play in the park.
“Christian or Muslim, we are all created by one God, so let us celebrate as one people,’’ she said.
At the River Plate Garden in Wuse II, Mr Okorie Uche, a business man, told newsmen that a lot of people came out to have fun.
“The park is filled with people because of the peace we are enjoying now.
“I believe that a lot of people are out here to relax after the tension and pressure during the elections. Thank God for everything,’’ he said.
At the Millennium Park in Maitama, large numbers of people were seen in groups taking pictures and having fun.
Stephen Anzaku, a trader, told journalists  that he was surprised at the large turnout of people at the park compared to previous Easter celebrations.
“I am a regular at the park during celebrations, but this Easter celebration has brought so many people out here to relax.
“I also think that people are happy because the Presidential and National Assembly elections have come and gone with their tension and fears,’’ he said.
Patience Terso, a physically challenged woman on wheel chair, who accompanied her three children to the park, also told journalists that she was in the park to have fun.
“Today is Easter; people are celebrating the resurrection of our lord Jesus Christ.
“I cannot be left out, so I have to come to the park on my wheelchair to celebrate with my children,’’ she said.
Malam Suleiman Usman, a local musician who uses a local guitar called “Molo’’ to entertain fun seekers in the park told journalists that he was happy to entertain the crowd.
“I am singing for people and some of them appreciate me by giving me some money,’’ he said.
At the children’s play ground section of the park, little children were seen enjoying themselves in swings, cross ladder and play tools.
Mr Leonard Olutayo, a parent, told journalists that he brought his two children to the park to celebrate.
Olutayo also said that he was impressed as so many people came out to celebrate the day.
Mr Bulus Danladi, a security guard at the water fountain side of the Millennium Park told journalists that so many people patronised the park through the holidays which began on April 3.
Danladi also said that the celebration had brought a lot of people from various walks and their loved ones to the park for some fun.
Mrs Funmilayo Ade, who sells snacks in the park, told journalists that business had been good and patronage was high.
Mr Peter Adebayo, a photographer, told journalists that business was good and that he had made more money than he expected.
Malam Inusa Mu’azu, who sells barbeque at the gate of the park said “plenty people came to the park for Easter and they are buying from me’’.
“I thank God for this celebration.’’
A police officer on duty at the gate of the park told journalists under condition of anonymity that the park experienced high influx of people for Easter celebration.
“I think, everybody wants to come out to a place like this and relax the tension of the elections and again because Monday is a public holiday.
“The park is full with people and we are doing our best to ensure that security is guaranteed,’’ he said.
At the Wonderland Amusement Park, Dauda Sarki, observed that he was apprehensive of the outcome of the election results.
“Many of my friends travelled to their home towns. For some, it is because that is where they registered.
“But for others, it is out of fear of a possible outbreak of violence after the elections, the fears eventually turned out to be unfounded,’’ he said.