By Meletus EZE
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said on Tuesday that justice and equity are key to the attainment of sustainable peace, stable and vibrant Nigeria.
Ayokunle, represented by the Prelate of Methodist Church, Rev. Samuel Uche, said this at a Peace Declaration Summit, organised in Abuja by the Nigerian Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA), in collaboration with local and international partners.
He advised political leaders to always put into consideration the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-tribal and a multi-religious nature of Nigeria when taking decisions.
He said: “We should recognise this fact and have respect for each other. For us to have a peaceful, stable and vibrant Nigeria there must be justice, equity and rule of law.”
Ayokunle warned against election rigging, vote-buying and falsification of election results during the 2019 general elections.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Mohammad Nurul-Khalid, underscored the need for collaboration among religious leaders toward a better Nigeria.
Bishop Sunday Onuoha, the Executive Director of NIFAA, said peace was a pre-requisite for development and improvement of the Nigerian society.
Onuoha said the attainment of national development would always be a mirage without peace. He called on the religious leaders to continue to preach peace as enshrined in the holy books.
“As we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in our march toward peaceful coexistence, the flame of religious tension in our communities will dim for a new dawn,” he said.
A document on peace was jointly signed at the end of the summit by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, CAN President and members of NIFAA.
The document was handed over to Amb Tom Bush, an American, for submission to the United Nations.
