Northern Muslims, Christians Urge Peaceful Polls

The Northern Muslims/Christians for Peace and Progress Initiative has called for peaceful, tolerant and responsible political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The national coordinator of the initiative, Amb Bukar Al-Amin, made the call while applauding the historic peace accord signed between the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO).

Al-Amin described the accord as a significant step towards strengthening Christian-Muslim understanding, peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in the country.

He said the initiative was particularly important as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, stressing that religious differences should not be allowed to fuel political violence or division.

“We warmly applaud and wholeheartedly support the historic Peace Accord signed between YOWICAN and NACOMYO. This landmark initiative is a significant step forward in strengthening Christian-Muslim understanding, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and responsible democratic participation in Nigeria,” he said.

The group also commended Barr Seyi Tinubu for championing the initiative and promoting dialogue across religious and social divides.

Al-Amin said Tinubu’s support for the peace initiative demonstrated a commitment to placing peace, unity and national progress above religious differences.

He said the recognition of Tinubu as a Christian Youth Peace Ambassador was timely and fitting, adding that it would encourage young Nigerians to see the country’s religious diversity as a source of strength rather than division.

“This recognition reflects the importance of encouraging a new generation of Nigerian leaders and citizens who understand that our religious diversity should be a source of strength, not division,” he said.

The initiative said the peace accord went beyond being a mere document, describing it as a commitment by Christian and Muslim youths to reject religious intolerance, hate speech, political violence and the manipulation of religion for destructive purposes.

Al-Amin noted that the agreement sent a strong message that Christians and Muslims could hold different political views while remaining committed to Nigeria’s peace and progress.

“The accord sends a powerful message that Christians and Muslims can disagree politically while remaining brothers and sisters committed to the peace and progress of Nigeria,” he said.

He said the initiative would support efforts to take the message of the accord beyond the national level to the six geopolitical zones, states, local government areas and communities across the country.

According to him, the organisation would work with religious institutions, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders to promote religious tolerance and peaceful political participation.

He said the objective was to ensure that the message of peace reached Nigerians at the grassroots level, including churches, mosques, and local communities.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with YOWICAN, NACOMYO, religious institutions, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders to promote religious tolerance, peaceful political participation, mutual respect and a smooth democratic process before, during and after the 2027 elections,” he said.

Al-Amin stressed that the responsibility for peaceful elections belonged to all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or political affiliations.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our faiths may be different, our political choices may differ, but our future is shared,” he said.

He added that peace, tolerance and dialogue remained essential to Nigeria’s development, urging young Nigerians to take ownership of efforts to prevent religious and political violence.

“We believe that peace is the foundation of progress, tolerance is the bridge to unity, and dialogue is the pathway to a stronger Nigeria,” he said.