Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace and national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that inflammatory messages could deepen religious and ethnic tensions in the country.
Idris made the call at the grand finale of the 2026 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the International Communion of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles (ICCABA), held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The Minister said religious leaders had an important responsibility in maintaining peace because millions of Nigerians looked to them for guidance, not only on spiritual matters but also on issues affecting their communities and the nation.
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“At a time when misinformation, hate speech, religious intolerance and political tension can spread within minutes, the pulpit and other platforms of religious communication should remain places where truth, peace and responsible citizenship are promoted,” Idris warned.
He stressed that political competition was a normal part of democracy, but warned that political differences should not be allowed to become religious or ethnic conflicts.
The Minister also cautioned against portraying the country’s security challenges as a religious conflict, saying terrorists and criminal groups had attacked Nigerians from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
According to Idris, the Nigerian Government remained committed to protecting the constitutional right of every Nigerian to practise his or her religion freely.
“No Nigerian should be attacked or discriminated against because of religion. Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths should be able to live and worship in peace,” the Minister stressed.
Idris said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had strengthened intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and military operations against terrorist and criminal networks.
Speaking on the economy, the Minister said the Nigerian Government was implementing reforms while expanding opportunities for young Nigerians through programmes including NELFUND, 3MTT, NYIF, NATEP, SVCG, SUPA and iDICE.
“Nigeria’s greatest resource is not only what lies beneath our soil. It is also the talent and ability of our people. Our greater obligation is therefore to preserve Nigeria’s peace, strengthen its unity and safeguard its future for generations yet to come,” Idris emphasised.
He, however, said the responsibility for creating a secure society went beyond the military and police, urging religious leaders to help prevent radicalisation and criminality among young people.
“Religious leaders have a vital role to play in strengthening social cohesion, guiding young people away from radicalisation and criminality, and promoting dialogue and peaceful engagement as the appropriate response to political, social and economic grievances,” Idris urged.
Idris called on churches to expand their contributions to national development through education, healthcare, skills acquisition, youth development and humanitarian services, while urging religious organisations to join government efforts to combat misinformation and promote responsible national discourse.
“A statement made by a respected religious leader can calm a community. It can also inflame one. That is why leadership should always be accompanied by responsibility,” the Minister cautioned.
Idris reminded the religious leaders that elections should be viewed within the broader context of the nation’s continuity.
“As we look towards 2027 and the years ahead, we should remain mindful that elections are moments in the life of a nation, while the nation itself endures beyond electoral cycles, governments and political parties,” he reminded the gathering.
Also speaking, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, commended the Church for its prayers, humanitarian interventions and contributions to peace, national cohesion and moral formation.
Akume acknowledged the sacrifices Nigerians had made during the ongoing economic reforms, assuring citizens that the Government remained focused on improving household incomes, reducing hardship and ensuring that the benefits of reform were increasingly felt across the country.
“We commend our citizens for their patriotism and resilience, and assure them that it will never be in vain, as promised by Mr President himself,” Akume assured Nigerians.
He also called for stronger collaboration between the Government and the Church in addressing Nigeria’s security and development challenges, particularly in youth empowerment, education, peacebuilding, civic responsibility and humanitarian service.
For his part, the President General of CBCN, Archbishop Prof. Leonard Bature Kawas, declared the Conference’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, citing the administration’s policies and what he described as its efforts to promote national development and inclusivity.
Addressing the gathering, Kawas said the Church had examined the administration’s record and was prepared to continue supporting the President.
“We support him now. We support him today, we support him tomorrow, and we support him for as long as he’s willing to be our president,” Kawas declared.
He further stated that the position represented the mandate of the gathering, declaring, “This house has endorsed him for the 2027 presidency.”
The 2026 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the International Communion of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles (ICCABA) brought together Christian faith leaders, bishops and apostles to discuss the future of the Church, worship and community collaboration.
