Christian and Muslim youth organisations have pledged to promote peaceful coexistence and discourage electoral violence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) made the commitment at an inter-religious peace accord summit held in Lagos on Saturday.
The organisations urged Nigerian youths to reject violence and bloodshed, describing the forthcoming elections as a test of the country’s unity.
Bishop Stephen Adegbite, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said the agreement was aimed at promoting religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and confidence among Nigerians.
He also criticised politicians who make derogatory statements against their opponents, warning that the country could not afford another conflict.
“What we must do is what youths have done today. Both Christian and Muslim youths have done well to bring peace and restore confidence in our great nation,” he said.
Adegbite urged young people to serve as examples of peaceful conduct and demonstrate that Christians and Muslims could work together despite their religious differences.
He added that the summit was intended to show that adherents of both religions supported peace before, during and after the elections.
The National Secretary of NACOMYO, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim, said the agreement would encourage Muslim youths to promote peace across the country, particularly at the grassroots.
He said Muslim leaders were already engaging imams to use Friday congregational prayers, Islamic schools and other religious gatherings to discourage electoral violence.
Similarly, the Chairman of YOWICAN in the South-West, Nnamdi Obasi, urged young people to resist attempts by politicians to recruit them as political thugs.
“We need to make youths to understand that we are one,” he said.
Obasi called on Christian and Muslim youths to strengthen their relationships and promote mutual understanding.
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) made the commitment at an inter-religious peace accord summit held in Lagos on Saturday.
The organisations urged Nigerian youths to reject violence and bloodshed, describing the forthcoming elections as a test of the country’s unity.
Bishop Stephen Adegbite, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said the agreement was aimed at promoting religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and confidence among Nigerians.
He also criticised politicians who make derogatory statements against their opponents, warning that the country could not afford another conflict.
“What we must do is what youths have done today. Both Christian and Muslim youths have done well to bring peace and restore confidence in our great nation,” he said.
Adegbite urged young people to serve as examples of peaceful conduct and demonstrate that Christians and Muslims could work together despite their religious differences.
He added that the summit was intended to show that adherents of both religions supported peace before, during and after the elections.
The National Secretary of NACOMYO, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim, said the agreement would encourage Muslim youths to promote peace across the country, particularly at the grassroots.
He said Muslim leaders were already engaging imams to use Friday congregational prayers, Islamic schools and other religious gatherings to discourage electoral violence.
Similarly, the Chairman of YOWICAN in the South-West, Nnamdi Obasi, urged young people to resist attempts by politicians to recruit them as political thugs.
“We need to make youths to understand that we are one,” he said.
Obasi called on Christian and Muslim youths to strengthen their relationships and promote mutual understanding.