As campaigns for the 2027 general elections officially kicks off, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has urged religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace and discourage hate speech, violence and extremism.
Mahmoud made the call on Thursday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at an interfaith prayer for Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.
She urged churches, mosques and other places of worship to remain centres of peace, moral instruction, compassion and national unity, stressing the need for greater interfaith cooperation as the country approaches another election cycle.
The minister said religious leaders had a crucial role to play in promoting peaceful coexistence and preventing religious and ethnic differences from becoming sources of division.
According to her, “Nigeria is greater than its religious, ethnic and cultural differences,” adding that the country’s diversity should remain a source of strength rather than division.
Mahmoud described the interfaith gathering as a demonstration of Nigerians’ shared faith and commitment to the peace, unity, stability and prosperity of the country.
She commended the organisers for creating a platform for understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, saying interfaith engagement remained important to strengthening national cohesion.
The minister also urged Nigerians to support and pray for President Tinubu and his administration as it implements reforms and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the economy, improving infrastructure and creating opportunities for citizens.
Mahmoud reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to translating the Renewed Hope Agenda into tangible improvements in the lives of residents.
She further urged Nigerians to teach younger generations that the country belongs to everyone, stressing that differences in religion, ethnicity and culture should not be used to justify hatred or division.
Mahmoud also called for prayers for peace across communities, wisdom for leaders, protection for security personnel, opportunities for young people and empowerment of women and vulnerable Nigerians.
Earlier, the National President of Women Initiative for Family Economy, WIFE, and convener of the programme, Amb. Aisha Abdulkadir Yau, commended the contributions of religious leaders to peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the country.
Yau said the peaceful coexistence recorded in many communities could be traced to sermons and teachings from mosques and churches.
She, however, urged religious leaders to intensify prayers for President Tinubu and members of his cabinet for the smooth implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
