The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said that Nigerians should hold President Muhammadu Buhari to his words for the conduct of a free, credible, violence-free general elections in 2019.
Abubakar said this in Abuja at the 2018 Second Annual General Meeting of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), youths wings summit on Saturday.
According to him, the second summit came at the time Nigeria has been politicised by the political class and that there was the need to sit as a family irrespective of their various religious leanings.
The Sultan, who is also a Co-Chair of NIREC, noted that Nigerians should take a stand not to be used by politicians and other stakeholders to cause violence especially during the forthcoming general elections and beyond.
“The youths must not allow themselves to be used by politicians to instigate violence of any kind. And since the President has spoken on the conduct of the coming elections to be credible and free, he should be hold for his words,” the Sultan said.
On his part, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Co-Chair of NIREC, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, said that Nigerian youth should work together irrespective of the differences in their doctrines.
“We should use our different religions to move the country forward,” he said.
He urged the youths to emulate the partnership between the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and CAN in the spirit of love between the leaders.
Delivering the keynote at the summit, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.Gen Babagana Monguno, (rtd) represented by Brig-Gen Emmanuel Ndagi said there is no gain to say that peaceful dialogue is not the path way to peaceful coexistence.
hHe said that security is a collective responsibility and that Nigerians should stay peaceful at all times.
He urged the youths to ensure that Nigeria achieves peaceful elections and that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to ensure free, fair, peaceful and credible elections in 2019.
The United States of America Ambassador, represented by the Deputy Chief of Mission of embassy in Nigeria, David Young, said the US is committed to supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve credible elections in Nigeria.
He commended the role of NIREC in mobilising Nigerian youths for peaceful 2019 polls.
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