Bennett Oghifo
Christian and Muslim youth organisations yesterday signed an inter-religious peace accord in Lagos, warning politicians in opposition to exploiting non secular variations and recruiting younger Nigerians as political thugs forward of the 2027 normal election.
The organisations, the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), declared that Nigeria’s unity should not be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition, warning that the forthcoming elections would check the nation’s dedication to peaceable coexistence.
They additionally known as on youths throughout the nation to reject violence, non secular intolerance and inflammatory political rhetoric, insisting that no elective place was well worth the blood of any Nigerian.
The teams made the declaration at an inter-religious peace accord summit organised by the YOWICAN South-West Zonal management in Lagos on Saturday.
Speaking on the summit, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, stated the accord was designed to advertise non secular tolerance, discourage political violence and strengthen peaceable coexistence earlier than, throughout and after the 2027 elections.
He expressed concern over the rising tendency amongst politicians to make derogatory statements in opposition to opponents, warning that such utterances may deepen distrust, suspicion and hostility amongst Nigerians.
According to him, the nation couldn’t afford one other disaster fuelled by political and spiritual variations.
“It is as a result of we don’t have belief in each other, and when there isn’t a belief, there’s room for acrimony, suspicion and bickering.
“What we must do is what the youths have done today. Both Christians and Muslims have done well to bring peace and restore confidence in our great nation,” he stated.
Adegbite urged Nigerian youths to take the lead in selling nationwide unity, expressing confidence that their instance would encourage different residents to embrace peaceable coexistence.
He stated the accord was additionally supposed to reveal to the worldwide group that Christians and Muslims in Nigeria had been dedicated to peaceable elections and wouldn’t permit political pursuits to undermine their relationship.
The CAN chairman careworn that neither non secular organisation wished Nigerians killed within the battle for political energy.
“When you go into Romans 12:18, it tells us to live in peace with ourselves. Even in the Qur’an, there are verses that speak about peace,” he stated.
Also talking, the National Secretary of NACOMYO, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim, described the accord as well timed, given the approaching normal election and the necessity to stop politicians from manipulating non secular sentiments.
He stated the Muslim youth organisation would take the peace marketing campaign to communities throughout the nation, starting on the grassroots, to make sure that its members understood the hazards of electoral violence.
Ibrahim disclosed that the organisation was already participating Islamic clerics and leaders to make use of Friday Jumu’ah prayers, Islamic faculties and different non secular gatherings to advertise messages of peace and tolerance.
He stated the mobilisation would give attention to discouraging younger folks from taking part in violence earlier than, throughout and after the elections.
The Lagos State Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Damilare Orimoloye, stated the summit was vital in making ready younger Nigerians to handle disagreements with out resorting to violence as political actions intensified.
He famous that political competitors would inevitably produce disagreements however insisted that variations in political affiliations and opinions mustn’t destroy relationships amongst residents.
“Peace speaks in opposition to violence. It is about tolerate one another and present love amidst misunderstanding.
“Certainly, there will be misunderstanding as we move into the election period, so we need to tolerate each other and speak love to one another,” he stated.
In his remarks, the South-West Chairman of YOWICAN, Mr Nnamdi Obasi, stated the summit was geared toward bridging the divide between Christian and Muslim youths and stopping politicians from turning them in opposition to each other.
He expressed concern over religiously motivated violence in components of the nation, notably the place Christians and Muslims had been victims of assaults, stressing that younger folks should reject narratives that promote hostility between the 2 faiths.
Obasi stated Nigerians shared a standard future regardless of their non secular backgrounds and mustn’t permit political actors to use their variations.
He urged Christian and Muslim youths to see themselves as brothers and sisters, stay united and resist makes an attempt by politicians to instigate battle because the 2027 elections method.
He maintained that sustained inter-religious engagement and grassroots mobilisation had been important to stopping electoral violence and defending the nation’s unity.
