Akpabio and Kukah Urge End to Religious Violence

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas have called for an end to the killings of Nigerians based on religious and political differences. They made the call during the ‘High-Level Discourse on Religion and Democracy,’ organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC) in Abuja.

Akpabio, represented by former Edo State Governor Adams Oshimohole, emphasized that Nigeria, with its large population, should not be grappling with religious intolerance. He stated that religion should unite, not divide, and that everyone has the right to worship freely.

He warned that the misuse of religion for division and violence undermines democratic values and harms societal harmony. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, stressing that “an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”

Speaker Abbas, represented by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, highlighted the politicization of religion as one of Nigeria’s key democratic challenges. He noted that while the country’s diverse cultures and religions offer both opportunities and challenges, religious sentiments are often exploited by political leaders for electoral gain, leading to polarization and complicating governance.

Archbishop Mathew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese expressed concern over the daily loss of life in the name of religion and politics, citing the recent killing of Deborah Yakubu, a student from Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, as a tragic example.

He condemned such acts, stating that it is morally wrong to kill in the name of religion. Kukah stressed the need for religious leaders to guide politicians and promote moral values that support good governance.

European Union Ambassador-Designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, reiterated the EU’s commitment to global peace, highlighting the importance of religious freedom as outlined in the EU Charter on fundamental rights.

The discussions underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to address the role of religion in politics and work towards a more peaceful and inclusive society.