As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud has called on religious leaders to use their influential positions to promote peace, discourage hate speech and reject violence, extremism and intolerance.
Key Highlights:
- FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, urged religious leaders to promote peace and reject hate speech and violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
- She called for interfaith unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
- Mahmoud urged Nigerians to pray for President Tinubu and his administration.
- She stressed that Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity should be a strength.
She urged churches, mosques and other places of worship to remain sanctuaries of peace, moral instruction, compassion and national unity.
Mahmoud made the call while delivering a goodwill message at the interfaith prayers for Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu, held on Thursday, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
She also called on Nigerians to strengthen interfaith unity, peaceful coexistence and national solidarity as the country continues its journey towards sustainable development and prosperity.
Mahmoud described the interfaith gathering as a powerful demonstration of Nigerians’ shared faith in God and their collective commitment to the peace, unity, stability and prosperity of the nation.
The minister noted that prayer has always occupied a special place in Nigeria’s national life, particularly during periods of uncertainty and at moments of great opportunity, stressing that Nigerians have consistently turned to God for wisdom, guidance and strength.
“Nigeria is greater than its religious, ethnic and cultural differences,” the minister noted, adding that the nation’s diversity must remain a source of strength rather than division.
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She commended the organisers of the prayer for creating a platform that promotes understanding, tolerance, brotherhood and peaceful coexistence, stressing that interfaith engagement is an essential instrument for strengthening national cohesion.
Mahmoud urged Nigerians to continue to support and pray for Tinubu and his administration as it implements reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening the economy, improving infrastructure, creating opportunities and building a more prosperous Nigeria.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to translating the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda into tangible improvements in the lives of residents.
The minister further urged Nigerians to teach the younger generation that Nigeria belongs to everyone, stressing that differences in religion, ethnicity or culture should never be used as justification for hatred or division.
Mahmoud called for prayers for peace across Nigerian communities, wisdom for leaders, protection for security personnel, opportunities for young people, empowerment of women, care for vulnerable citizens and prosperity for every Nigerian family.
She urged Nigerians to rise above individual interests and embrace a shared national destiny, saying that collective faith, unity and patriotism remain critical to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Nigeria.
National President of Women Initiative for Family Economy (WIFE) who is the convener of the programme, Amb. Aisha Yau, commended the role religious leaders have played in Nigeria, noting that both the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims could be traced to various sermons from mosques and churches.
She, however, called on religious leaders to intensify their prayers for Tinubu and his cabinet for the smoth implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
