The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, blow hot said religious and traditional leaders whom are being seen as the custodian of people and to hold political leaders accountable have been cowed into silence.
The Sultan made this statement in Abuja yesterday while attending the year 2020 interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace Third Annual General Assembly and Peace Conference titled: “Interreligious Dialogue: Strengthening the Culture of Peace, Justice and Reconciliation”.
The religious leader revealed “whoever that takes life whether Muslim or Christian is a criminal and should be treated as one. Everything I heard today is hegemonic, saying the religious and Traditional leaders that are expected by their subjects to hold political office holders accountable based on their stewardship are being intimidated into silence.
He revealed we live in a modern society where, if you are an Emir and you talk too much you get deposed. If you are an Imam or Bishop, you need money for charity, you must get ready to trade with the devil so that you can do charity, Sultan said.
The Sultan, who was represented by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II reiterated that there is no crisis or whatsoever related to that between the two major religions in Nigeria. He noted that ignorance has always been a bend on religion intolerance in the country, calling on religious followers to trade with caution.
In his contribution, Dr Samson Oyekunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said it was sad for him to speak over the gruesome murder of a CAN chairman, Lawan Andimi who was killed in Adamawa by Boko Haram, lamenting that since December the Christian community have continue to come under siege with no hope that the killing will end soon.
Meanwhile, Co-chairmen of the IDFP, Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Bishop Sunday Onuaha, said the event was to ensure a continuous dialogue for peace between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja stressed on the need for dialogue and reconciliation.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Reverend Mathew Hassan Kuka said political actors in the country are still in a slumber to wake up to their nation challenged.