By Albert Akota
The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has expressed concern over the rise in hate speech and weaponization of religion in Nigeria politics.
NIREC, led by Co-Chairmen Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), condemned recent statements that imply religious superiority and called for an end to any attempt to incite religious conflict in the country.
In a joint press statement released yesterday, NIREC urged political leaders to use their platforms to promote peace, unity, and harmony, while refraining from making divisive statements.
The council also called on religious leaders to resist political manipulation of religion that could lead to anarchy and urged politicians to play politics with the fear of God, dignity, honor, and decorum by eschewing the politics of division and sectionalism.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) is disturbed by the ugly trend occasioned by the hate speeches before and after the 2023 elections. Weaponizing religion is selfish. political gains are capable of causing religious conflict in Nigeria.
“NIREC therefore condemns in strongest terms the statements that give the impression that one religion is superior to the other. NIREC affirms that Nigeria is a multi-religious state under God.
“NIREC condemns statements that give the impression of religious dominance and superiority in the country. We wish however that every Nigerian could be a true Christian or a true Muslim as that would promote the religious values that could transform the nation”.
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