The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, has urged religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace, discourage hate speech and reject violence, extremism and intolerance, as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The minister made the call while delivering a goodwill message at an interfaith prayer for Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
She urged churches, mosques and other places of worship to remain centres of peace, moral guidance, compassion and national unity.
Mahmoud also called on Nigerians to strengthen interfaith understanding, peaceful coexistence and national solidarity as the country pursues sustainable development.
She described the interfaith gathering as a demonstration of Nigerians’ shared faith and commitment to peace, unity, stability and national development.
The Minister said prayer had continued to play an important role in Nigeria’s national life, particularly during periods of uncertainty and at times of significant opportunities.
According to her, Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than division.
She commended the organisers for providing a platform for promoting understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, describing interfaith engagement as important to national cohesion.
Mahmoud urged Nigerians to continue praying for the country’s leaders and supporting efforts aimed at improving the economy, infrastructure and opportunities for citizens.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to improving the lives of residents through the implementation of its development programmes.
The minister further urged parents and religious leaders to teach young people that Nigeria belongs to all citizens, stressing that differences in religion, ethnicity and culture should not be used to promote hatred or division.
She called for prayers for peace across the country, wisdom for leaders, protection for security personnel, opportunities for young people, empowerment of women and support for vulnerable citizens.
The minister urged Nigerians to place national interests above individual considerations, saying unity, patriotism and peaceful coexistence were important to the country’s stability and development.
In her welcome remarks, the National President of the Women Initiative for Family Economy (WIFE) and convener of the programme, Amb. Aisha Abdulkadir Yau, commended the contribution of religious leaders to peaceful coexistence in the country.
Yau said sermons and teachings from churches and mosques had contributed to promoting understanding between Christians and Muslims.
She, however, urged religious leaders to intensify prayers for President Tinubu and members of his cabinet for the effective implementation of government programmes.
