Following a threat by President Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America (USA), the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has enjoined political office holders and traditional rulers in Nigeria not to allow international politics to use religion to divide the country.
Speaking 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 (Rabitatul Aimmat Wal Ulamai Fi Biladi Yoruba), the President’s aide noted that international politics was trying to use religion to divide the country.
Represented by Lukman Lawal, Special Adviser on Finance to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, he also advised religious leaders not to allow themselves to be used to cause further division in the country.
He said, “This conference is coming at a good time, religious institutions have come to stay as a pillar of leadership structure in Nigeria.
“It plays a key role in governance and peaceful co-existence. Rabita, as an organisation, has well entrenched itself in the South West, ensuring that it galvanises support for the government, promotes good governance, and undertakes programmes and activities.
“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 an excellent initiative from the Rabita to plan this conference at this critical time to send that signal of peace, love and harmony that has existed in Nigeria over the years and to keep sending signals 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 divide us further or to cause more chaos in our land. So, I salute the leadership of Rabita on behalf of the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, for this laudable initiative. ‘’
