Sultan, CAN President Rally Nigerians Against Hate Speech, Back Interfaith Code For Peace

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Dr Daniel Okoh, have called on Nigerians to reject hate speech and embrace dialogue as a pathway to lasting peace and national unity.
The two religious leaders made the call at the Abuja Peace Conference held as part of the 8th General Assembly of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), where Christian and Muslim leaders formally launched the Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC).

Speaking during the conference on Thursday, the Sultan of Sokoto, represented by Prof. Muhammad Isah Maishanu, said religious leaders have a sacred responsibility to use their influence to foster peace rather than deepen divisions.

He stressed that inflammatory rhetoric and hate speech continue to fuel conflicts across communities, urging faith leaders to lead by example by promoting tolerance, understanding and mutual respect.

The Sultan said the newly launched Interfaith Code of Conduct provides a practical framework for strengthening collaboration between Christians and Muslims while encouraging responsible religious leadership capable of promoting peaceful coexistence.

He emphasised that dialogue remains the most effective tool for resolving differences, adding that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than division.

Also speaking, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, represented by Most Rev. Dr Benebo Fubara-Manuel, described the launch of the Code as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s peacebuilding efforts.

He said the initiative reflects the shared commitment of Christian and Muslim leaders to fostering harmony and addressing the root causes of violence and intolerance across the country.

Archbishop Okoh urged religious leaders to translate the principles contained in the Code into practical actions through sermons, public engagement and community-based peace initiatives.

He also appealed to government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and the media to support the implementation of the Code, noting that building a peaceful nation requires collective responsibility.

According to him, faith leaders must continue to champion dialogue, reconciliation and justice while discouraging messages capable of inciting violence or promoting religious hatred.

The Interfaith Code of Conduct was unveiled during the two-day General Assembly of the IDFP, held in Abuja under the theme, “Hate Speech and Violence: The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Nation-Building.”

Developed through a Nigerian-led interfaith process with the support of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), the Code outlines ten core values, including mutual respect, protection of human dignity, peaceful conflict resolution, justice, transparency, compassion and the rejection of hate speech.

Participants at the conference resolved to promote the Code across churches, mosques, schools, media organisations and communities nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen national cohesion and prevent conflicts.

They also called for sustained collaboration among religious leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that interfaith dialogue becomes an integral part of Nigeria’s peacebuilding and nation-building efforts.