The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, declared that it is absolutely incorrect for Christians to be brought before Sharia courts or compelled to abide by Sharia regulations. He made this statement on Wednesday during the opening session of the 2025 meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, or NIREC, which took place in Abuja. The meeting was held under the theme, “Collaboration of Inter-Religious Council with Government to Promote Peace in Nigeria.” The Sultan clarified that Sharia law is exclusively meant for Muslims, and consequently, no Christian should ever be forced to dress, behave, or worship in the manner of Muslims. He stressed that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation, not a secular one, and that the government supports both Islam and Christianity without adopting either one as a state religion. Furthermore, he rejected recent demands to abolish Sharia law, asserting that Nigeria grants all religions the right to practice freely without any interference.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, also addressed the gathering. He called for enhanced cooperation between NIREC and the Federal Government to support peace-building initiatives and combat insecurity. Tajudeen issued a warning that extremist organizations are attempting to exploit religion to create divisions within the country, and he commended NIREC for its long-standing commitment to promoting national unity. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, acknowledged that Nigeria is currently facing significant challenges, including insecurity, political friction, and a decline in trust among the population. He added that the nation’s international reputation is also being damaged due to the spread of false information regarding its security situation. Akume gave an assurance that the Federal Government remains committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens. He urged traditional and religious leaders to collaborate in encouraging peace.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, or CAN, stated that Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its history because insecurity poses a direct threat to national cohesion. He noted that religious institutions benefit from a high degree of public trust and are therefore well-positioned to play a significant role in peace-building efforts. He called for a closer working relationship between the government and religious groups to foster dialogue, unify communities, and advance tolerance. Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, the Executive Secretary of NIREC, also spoke, emphasizing the need for religious leaders to work more closely with the government to defeat terrorism and banditry. He asserted that every human life is valuable, and all leaders must join forces to protect the people. He concluded by offering prayers for wisdom for Nigerian leaders and a change of heart for criminals, expressing hope that they would become law-abiding citizens. He also prayed for Nigerians to embrace positive values.
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