President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged religious leaders to
work towards the broader goal of building a strong and unified
nation.
He cautioned against insinuations that could divide the people
along religious lines.
The President spoke during a visit to the Presidential Villa by
Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace in Nigeria
led by Bishop John Abu Richard.
The President said: “Some voices, for political or ethnic
reasons are making unguarded statements accusing the government and
myself in particular of religious bias.
“Let me assure you, honourable clergymen that this is far from
the truth. In my career as a soldier, administrator, and
politician, I have never veered from my oath of office.
“When I had the honour to lead a Military Government, there were
more Christians than Muslims in the Federal Executive Council and
the Supreme Military Council.
“This was not by design but I appointed people on their merit
without the slightest bias. The present Federal Executive Council
is also evenly balanced; again not by design but by respecting and
rewarding individual qualities,’’ the President said.
President Buhari noted that he was delighted at the proposition
to hold a one day prayer and fasting meeting for the nation on
April 26 by the group at the Eagle Square, saying he would direct
the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security for
the gathering.
The leader the delegation said more than 45,000 pastors in the
north had registered with the initiative to use their pulpits for
the propagation of the gospel of peace and shun political
distractions.
He urged other pastors to support the administration as it works
towards ending the violence in various parts of the country and
avoid politically-coloured sermons.
In a copy of the speech by Bishop Richard, made available to
reporters, the group dscribed President Buhari as “God sent”.
He acknowledged the good leadership being provided by resident
Buhari in restoring the nation’s economy, tackling insecurity
challenges and revolutinarising the agricultural sector.
The Bishop said, “We congratulated ourselves also because during
your health challenge we knowing you to be the God sent timely
leader to rescue and restore Nigeria back to her pride, fasted and
prayed with over one thousand Archbishops, Bishops, Pastors and
Evangelist for God to show you mercy and heal you.
“Your Excellency, we the 19 Northern States pastors came
together in unity to speak with one voice to crusade for peace,
reconciliation and national unity of our great country Nigeria
which you have already started.
“We have over 45,000 registered pastors of the 19, Northern
State of Nigeria with millions of followers behind us we have huge
numbers in our women and youth wing to support the unity and
peaceful co-existence in our country irrespective of tribe,
religion, ethnicity and political association.
“And to counter those deceiving and poisoning Nigerians with
fake news to destroy your good intentions for the country
especially those giving the impression that you are against
Christians and some ethnic groups in Nigeria, which is a big
lie.
“For instance, some pastors, using places of worship to preach
hate. People using the Church to preach violence. (If you preach
war and war breaks out, who will go to Church for worship).
On the Islamization agenda, he said “We believe that Mr.
President has no lslamization agenda in Nigeria, because if he did
not do it as military Head of State with a Muslim deputy Head of
State, how can it be done under a democratic government?
“This is just an opposition propaganda, about the killings
around the country, we observed that it is not only Christian that
are the victims, both Muslims and Christians are affected, and the
Government is doing everything possible to solve the problem.”
Members of the delegation include its National Chairman, Bishop
John Abu Richard, National Secretary, Archbishop Musa Usman
Katshina, National Deputy Secretary, Bishop Fali Jasibu Indagawa,
Bishop Adamu Danja and Bishop Tom Madugu. The Arewa Pastors
however, refused to disclose the churches they represent.
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged religious leaders to
work towards the broader goal of building a strong and unified
nation.
He cautioned against insinuations that could divide the people
along religious lines.
The President spoke during a visit to the Presidential Villa by
Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace in Nigeria
led by Bishop John Abu Richard.
The President said: “Some voices, for political or ethnic
reasons are making unguarded statements accusing the government and
myself in particular of religious bias.
“Let me assure you, honourable clergymen that this is far from
the truth. In my career as a soldier, administrator, and
politician, I have never veered from my oath of office.
“When I had the honour to lead a Military Government, there were
more Christians than Muslims in the Federal Executive Council and
the Supreme Military Council.
“This was not by design but I appointed people on their merit
without the slightest bias. The present Federal Executive Council
is also evenly balanced; again not by design but by respecting and
rewarding individual qualities,’’ the President said.
President Buhari noted that he was delighted at the proposition
to hold a one day prayer and fasting meeting for the nation on
April 26 by the group at the Eagle Square, saying he would direct
the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security for
the gathering.
The leader the delegation said more than 45,000 pastors in the
north had registered with the initiative to use their pulpits for
the propagation of the gospel of peace and shun political
distractions.
He urged other pastors to support the administration as it works
towards ending the violence in various parts of the country and
avoid politically-coloured sermons.
In a copy of the speech by Bishop Richard, made available to
reporters, the group dscribed President Buhari as “God sent”.
He acknowledged the good leadership being provided by resident
Buhari in restoring the nation’s economy, tackling insecurity
challenges and revolutinarising the agricultural sector.
The Bishop said, “We congratulated ourselves also because during
your health challenge we knowing you to be the God sent timely
leader to rescue and restore Nigeria back to her pride, fasted and
prayed with over one thousand Archbishops, Bishops, Pastors and
Evangelist for God to show you mercy and heal you.
“Your Excellency, we the 19 Northern States pastors came
together in unity to speak with one voice to crusade for peace,
reconciliation and national unity of our great country Nigeria
which you have already started.
“We have over 45,000 registered pastors of the 19, Northern
State of Nigeria with millions of followers behind us we have huge
numbers in our women and youth wing to support the unity and
peaceful co-existence in our country irrespective of tribe,
religion, ethnicity and political association.
“And to counter those deceiving and poisoning Nigerians with
fake news to destroy your good intentions for the country
especially those giving the impression that you are against
Christians and some ethnic groups in Nigeria, which is a big
lie.
“For instance, some pastors, using places of worship to preach
hate. People using the Church to preach violence. (If you preach
war and war breaks out, who will go to Church for worship).
On the Islamization agenda, he said “We believe that Mr.
President has no lslamization agenda in Nigeria, because if he did
not do it as military Head of State with a Muslim deputy Head of
State, how can it be done under a democratic government?
“This is just an opposition propaganda, about the killings
around the country, we observed that it is not only Christian that
are the victims, both Muslims and Christians are affected, and the
Government is doing everything possible to solve the problem.”
Members of the delegation include its National Chairman, Bishop
John Abu Richard, National Secretary, Archbishop Musa Usman
Katshina, National Deputy Secretary, Bishop Fali Jasibu Indagawa,
Bishop Adamu Danja and Bishop Tom Madugu. The Arewa Pastors
however, refused to disclose the churches they represent.
Read more https://www.nairalaw.com/ive-no-religious-bias-says-buhari/