{
  "id": 586437,
  "title": "‘Preach truth without hatred’ – APC Chairman Yilwatda urges religious leaders",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/preach-truth-without-hatred-apc-chairman-yilwatda-urges-religious",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T16:47:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/11/preach-truth-without-hatred-apc-chairman-yilwatda-urges-religious-leaders/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigeria's religious leaders to promote peace and reconciliation instead of hatred and division. Speaking at an International Conference on National Security for Socio-economic Development, Yilwatda emphasized that Nigeria's diversity should be embraced as a strength rather than a cause for conflict. He shared his personal experiences of both the negative and positive aspects of living in a diverse community, highlighting the importance of understanding and coexistence. Yilwatda recounted how his father, a pastor, maintained a close relationship with the local chief imam, visiting each other's homes and celebrating religious festivals together. This example demonstrated that religious differences should not create \"human distances and separation.\" The APC leader also discussed the violence his family faced after his father's transfer to Bauchi in 1991, when their home and neighborhood were burned, forcing both Christians and Muslims to take refuge in military barracks. Moreover, Yilwatda recounted his three-month stay in an internally displaced persons' camp, where he witnessed the impact of violence on people regardless of their religious affiliation. He warned of ongoing threats to Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry, communal violence, ethnic tensions, religious intolerance, and hate speech. The APC chairman criticized politicians who exploit religious and ethnic sentiments for political gain, stating that such exploitation leaves lasting damage on society. He urged Nigerians to ensure that their religious beliefs foster respect for the dignity and freedom of people from other faiths, urging religious leaders to transform mosques and churches into centers of peace, reconciliation, and responsible citizenship. Yilwatda stressed that religious leaders should preach truth without hatred, conviction without contempt, and truth without incitement. He called for a society where Christians and Muslims protect each other and defend the dignity of every citizen, regardless of religious or ethnic differences, emphasizing that \"Preach truth without hatred\" should be the guiding principle for religious leaders in Nigeria.",
  "summary": "The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged religious leaders across Nigeria to promote peace and reconciliation rather than hatred and division. Yilwatda made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at an International Conference on National Security for Socio-economic Development organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bidiah wa Iqamatis Sunnah […]…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Otu celebrates APC chairman Yilwatda at 58",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/otu-celebrates-apc-chairman-yilwatda-at-58",
        "published": "2026-08-11T22:30:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}