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By Lukman Olabiyi
Sultan of Sokoto and leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar and the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Okoh, have called on religious leaders and other Nigerians to guard utterances capable of causing crisis in the country.
Abubakar and Okoh said it was necessary for them to make the call, as ban on political campaigns will be lifted in few days.
The duo made the call during the third quarter meeting of the Nigeria Inter Religion Council (NIREC), in Lagos, yesterday.
The event with the theme: “Working together for justice and peace,” also attracted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
NIREC Co-chairman, Abubakar, said the role of religious leaders is to be just and fair to earn the trust of the people. He urged Muslims and Christians to come together to pursue peace and justice, noting that they are inseparable.
He said the meeting was coming on the heels of the lifting on ban on political activities in Nigeria and based on the importance of religion and the platform, the theme for the meeting was apt to share note as well as discuss issues as there was need to fight the course of justice and peace.
CAN President, Okoh, who is also a co-chairman of NIREC, urged the people to embrace peace, stop inciting utterances, live in peaceful co-existence with one another, be accountable, elect leaders with capacities during the 2023 general elections and abhor tribal sentiments.
“As we prepare for another election in 2023, it is important we members guard our actions and utterances as leaders.
“We must not be seen as people fanning embers of hate, disunity, encouraging political violence, or attempt to divide the populace along tribal or religion lines.
“As part of the intervention of NIREC to maintain peace at all times, 60 youths, representing both religion had gathered in Lagos already in this particular hall for their youths conference. It is my hope the outcome of their conference will include strategy in curbing youths restiveness and danger of pre and post-election violence,” he said.
CAN president urged the youths to resist any attempt by politicians to used them as instrument of political violence.
Mustapha, who was represented by Maurice Mbaeri, urged religious leaders to work for peace and unity of the country.
He said the meeting was a call to national duty to take active part in renewing troubled communities and that people should work for justice, peace and fair play to create the needed change, so that Nigerians can always live in unity and harmony.
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged religious and traditional leaders to continue to make it a collective responsibility to preach as well as work towards promoting unity, peace, justice and tranquility in Nigeria.
He said promotion of unity, peace, justice and tranquility in the country will bring about peaceful co-existence among the people.
