Reverend Father Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua has recounted how disagreements over the Boko Haram insurgency and other national issues contributed to the breakdown of activities within the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) between 2013 and 2018.
Omonokhua, a Catholic priest and former executive secretary of NIREC, made the revelation during an interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he discussed the tensions that weakened relations between Christian and Muslim leaders during a period of heightened insecurity and religious distrust.
He said one of the major disagreements centred on the Boko Haram insurgency, which had intensified violence and threatened security across parts of Nigeria. Omonokhua recalled an encounter in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where the then President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, reportedly confronted the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, over the activities of the insurgent group.
He said Oritsejafor told the Sultan that he (the sultan) could use his influence to help stop Boko Haram’s activities. However, according to him, the sultan did not say whether or not her would do something about it, but instead responded that Muslims were also being killed by the insurgents.
The exchange reportedly reflected the tensions and mutual suspicions that complicated efforts by religious leaders to work together during the insurgency.
Beyond the Boko Haram crisis, Omonokhua identified disagreements over the 2014 National Conference and tensions between the Catholic Church and CAN as additional factors that contributed to divisions within the council.
Established on September 11, 1999, NIREC brings together Christian and Muslim leaders to promote religious understanding, peaceful coexistence and cooperation in addressing challenges affecting the country.
The council is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto and the President of CAN, providing a platform for dialogue between Nigeria’s two largest religious communities.
Omonokhua’s account provides further insight into the institutional and interpersonal disagreements that affected interfaith engagement during a critical period in Nigeria’s security history. The account also underscores the challenges facing interreligious dialogue when insecurity, political disagreements and mistrust undermine cooperation between religious leaders.