Sultan, Yilwatda Lead Call for Religious Tolerance, Unity to Build Greater Nigeria

Sultan Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar of Sokoto and Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have jointly urged Nigerians to embrace unity and inter-religious harmony as a means to achieve a greater Nigeria. This call was made during an international conference organized by the Muslim World League in Abuja.

The Sultan praised the organizers for bringing together religious leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss diversity, peace, and global security. He pointed out that the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), established by Christian and Muslim leaders, serves as a platform for dialogue aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.

Abubakar emphasized that Nigerians must stop insulting and demonizing one another, asserting that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God. He highlighted the lack of honesty and trust among citizens as a major challenge, stating that nobody is inherently superior to another.

Yilwatda, describing diversity as a defining characteristic of Nigeria, called for transforming differences in faith, ethnicity, language, culture, and tradition into national strengths and development. He challenged Nigerians to recognize their shared humanity and common destiny, rather than focusing on religious and ethnic identities.

The APC chairman recounted personal experiences from his upbringing in Yobe State and witnessing communal conflicts in Plateau State. He shared a story of his late father's close friendship with a Chief Imam, demonstrating that religious differences should not hinder friendship and mutual respect.

Yilwatda's statement, relayed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, underscored that the fundamental question is not whether Christians and Muslims can coexist, but what kind of nation the country will be as people live together.