Ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has warned religious clerics in the state to refrain from inflammatory speech that could lead to religious war.
Governor Sule stated this while addressing religious leaders at the government house yesterday in Lafia, the State Capital.
Sule, who mentioned certain Muslim clerics who issued threats to non-Muslims that they would not vote for Muslim candidates in the upcoming elections, warned that such actions would not be tolerated.
“The unfortunate events that have started happening in the country have created tension. We cannot have a religious war in this country where multi-religious and ethnic groups are being fought.
“We must not allow politics to divide us. In every election there are always winners and losers. God decides who should win, no matter what we feel or think.
Sule appealed to religious leaders to conduct themselves in a dignified manner as the country approaches another election this week.
He called on religious leaders in the country to use their power to educate worshipers to shun ethnic and religious politics.
Responding, the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr Sunday Emmah, commended the Governor for his timely intervention.
“Our people, Christians in the country have been worried about whether they will come out to vote in Saturday’s election because of threats, intimidation and provocative messages that are now being spread on social media by some clerics,” the CAN Chairman said. .
Emma called on all Christians to shun and ignore all provocative threats and messages and come out en masse to vote for their elected leaders without fear of intimidation.
In the same vein, the leader of Islam, Imam Mohammed Ali, the Grand Imam of Friday Mosque, Lafia, warned those who are involved in political heating with religious sentiments.
“We have never had a religious war in the country since the beginning and never will. All those spreading provocative videos and hate speeches must stop and allow peace to reign in the country.
The Chief Imam assured that he will send a message to all the imams in the country to caution the worshipers against doing anything that could lead to conflict ahead of Saturday’s election.