The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has enjoined political office holders and traditional rulers not to allow religion by international politics divide the country.
Gbajabiamila stated this at the opening of a 3-day conference for religious, political and traditional leaders themed: Strengthening Peaceful Co-existence among Monarchs, Religious and Political Leaders, organised by League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland.
The presidential aide noted that actors in international politics were trying to engage religion to divide the Nigeria.
Represented by the Lukman Lawal, special adviser on Finance to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abas, Gbajabiamila also advised religious leaders not to allow themselves to be used to cause more division in the country.
“At a time like this, we can see international politics trying to use religion to divide us as a nation, we can see a lot of innuendos going on.
“So, it is a very good initiative from the Rabita to plan this conference at this critical time to send that signal of peace, love and harmony that have existed in Nigeria over the years and to keep sending signal that they cannot use religion to divide us.
“We have lived peacefully for many years and the two dominant religions in Nigeria, Christianity and Islam have been on the same page for many years.
“So, yes, we have security challenges, we can tackle them. Do not use religion to further divide us or to cause more chaos in our land,” he said.
He encouraged the religious leaders to keep sending the message of hope, good governance that President Tinubu has given within the past two and half years. “The challenges are enormous but we can see that he is tackling them on daily basis.”
Instead of dividing the country, he charged religious leaders to pray for Tinubu to succeed to take Nigeria to the promised land.
The Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, said the essence of the conference was to raise awareness on living peacefully as taught by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). “Secondly, there is an external force that there was a genocide in Nigeria which is not true. It is far from the truth.
“There is nothing like genocide in Nigeria, we have been living in peace and harmony for decades and centuries. We don’t see any reason for any country to accuse Nigeria that there was genocide in Nigeria. Third, the election is coming, we need to come together”.
The President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, in his welcome address described peace as a catalyst to development.
He said, “It is our determination to ensure peace and progress of our land. Peace is a catalyst to development of any society. As we approach 2027, there is a need for us to organise ourselves and remained united. We want to ensure credible elections, to ensure that we elect intentional leaders that will bridge bridges”.
At the event, a professor at the Arabic Unit, Foreign Languages Department, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Professor Noah Lawal-Jinadu, in his keynote address noted that the Muslims were also victims of arbitrary killings in the country.
“We are the spiritual and intellectual heirs of the Prophets. Our role is defined by knowledge and wisdom. We have a duty to advise rulers and politicians with courage and wisdom.
“We must be the voice that echoes the Quranic principle. Muslims have often been the primary victims. To claim otherwise is to ignore reality and verifiable data.
“Let us be clear: These narratives are designed to inflame division and hatred among Nigerians. They are the same tools used to create ISIS, Boko Haram, and other monstrosities, weapons of mass instability deployed by foreign interests to steal resources and undermine sovereignty, sometimes through coups and military invasions.
