Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, said at the weekend that he would deploy the full weight of the law to curb incessant attacks in the country if elected as the next President of Nigeria.
He also reaffirmed his party’s commitment to religious freedom in the country.
Adebayo made the remarks as a guest of the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom, according to a statement from his media office said.
The meeting presided over by Acting Chairman, Commissioner Fred Davie, representing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, was attended by fellow commissioners representing US President Joe Biden, Commissioner representing Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rabbi Abraham Cooper representing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other commissioners.
Adebayo stated that it is the responsibility of the government to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in a functioning State.
“I will employ the full weight of government powers to contain the incessant attacks on Nigerian communities to stave off the perception that the country is drifting towards a failed state scenario,” he said.
Responding to questions on religious freedom, Adebayo advised the United States Government to approach Nigeria as a diverse country in which Christians, Moslems and other faiths will continue to live together.
“What is required is effective governance and rule of law to ensure that everyone in Nigeria feels equally safe and protected without any cause to fear discrimination or persecution based on religious and other identity”, he stated.
He emphasized that a government that fails to protect all citizens has no basis on which to assuage the subjective or objective fears of any group who feels unsafe and persecuted.
“It is only by effective governance and fair administration of justice that a government assures all citizens of safety and security,” he added.
He promised that his administration would enforce the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 which enables the government to prevent and punish perpetrators of religious persecution, hate crimes and other abuses.
The Commission on behalf of the United States Government commended the visiting presidential candidate and wished him success in his aspiration.
