Sultan of Sokoto Warns Against Using Churches and Mosques For 2027 Campaigns

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA, His Eminence Alhaji Saad Abubakar has warned religious leaders to stop using churches and mosques as campaign platforms for politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Sultan gave the warning on Wednesday at the second quarterly meeting of Nigeria Inter Religious Council NIREC in Abuja.

The meeting was themed Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria and was co-chaired by the Sultan and President of Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh.

Speaking at the event, the Sultan who is also co-chair of NIREC said religious leaders must be careful with their utterances as campaigns for 2027 begin.

According to him, no leader can be chosen by shouting in the church or mosque about good or bad behaviour.

He said whoever will be leader has already been chosen by God and prayers can only lead to emergence of Gods chosen candidate.

He also warned Nigerians against sponsoring pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem with stolen money, saying God will never accept such deeds.

The Sultan said God does not like corruption and cannot be pleased with corrupt money used to send people to Jerusalem or Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

He called on religious leaders to join hands with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to fight corruption without fear or favour.

He said anyone involved in corruption including brothers, sisters, fathers and friends should face the law, whether he is a pastor or chief imam, and politics should not interfere.

He recalled that he had spoken on same issue years ago at an EFCC function at Shehu Musa YarAdua Centre and stressed that his words on corruption are documented and preserved.

The monarch commended Muslims and Christians for sustaining dialogue under NIREC, noting that Nigeria is the only country where Christians and Muslims sit periodically to discuss stability and development.

He said understanding is more important than toleration and urged leaders to be honest and sincere in resolving problems instead of spreading false rumours after meetings.

He said NIREC is not just a platform but a strong body that can achieve a lot if religious leaders continue to trust and support one another.

On his part, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said churches and mosques have enormous moral and social influence which should be used to build bridges and not walls.

He said the theme Shared Sacred Flourishing is timely because it moves interfaith conversation beyond managing differences to how different faiths can contribute to societal flourishing.

He explained that shared sacred flourishing does not mean Christians and Muslims should abandon or compromise their beliefs, but allow values like love, compassion, mercy, justice, forgiveness and service to promote common good.

He quoted Jeremiah 29 verse 7 which says seek the peace of the city for in its peace you will have peace, adding that wellbeing of all is connected.

He reaffirmed CANs commitment to work with NIREC and Muslim brothers and sisters for peace and national development.

Also presenting a paper, EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede urged religious leaders not to use their offices to perpetuate corruption but to campaign against it.

He said Nigeria is deeply religious yet religious profession has not reflected enough in public integrity.

He noted that when money meant for hospitals, education or roads is stolen, it becomes lost lives, lost opportunities and abandoned projects.

He said religious institutions shape conscience before crime occurs, adding that while EFCC can investigate conduct, faith communities can influence character.

The meeting ended with a call for religious leaders to promote reconciliation and encourage followers to pursue common good.