Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have said that clerics will not allow any politician take the country hostage come 2023.
Dr. Samuel Kanu-Uche, Methodist Prelate, insisted that the nation will maintain its unity and achieve progress when the government work in colloboration with religious groups.
They stated these while speaking at a valedictory dinner in honour of the immediate past CAN president, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in Abuja.
The Sultan, who advised both Christian and Muslim clerics to be hospitable to all political office seekers who solicit their support, however, charged them to thoroughly interrogate their developmental plans for the nation.
He said, “As you know the time for political campaign will soon start. Political office seekers and politicians will come to seek our votes. We have to treat them well and preach to them to be just and fear God in whatever they do”.
“We must not play the blame-game and allow anyone to take our country hostage. We know politicians will come to you and to us as well as going everywhere, promising things that they cannot deliver”.
“Let’s challenge them. If someone tells you that they are going to do this or that, ask them ‘how are you going to do it”.
“As Nigeria Interreligious Council, NIREC, we will sit and discuss these issues. At that level also, we will reach out to political leaders, sit with them and discuss with them what plans they have for this country. Then we will decide who, as God Almighty seems it fit, will lead the country”.
Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, the CAN President, said the Christian clerics will continue to dialogue with their Muslim counterparts in the interest of the nation.
According to him, “We will continue to collaborate together for the peaceful co-existence among people of all ethnic groups and religious leanings as we resolve to make a positive impact on the political, economic and social systems of our dear nation”.
