President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned religious leaders to shun partisan politics so as to preserve their public interest. While speaking at an Interfaith conference in Abuja on Saturday, the President said the advice became necessary due to the roles religious leaders are playing so far ahead of the election. He expressed the hope that the electoral process will be completed peacefully without resulting to negative use of religion and ethnicity. He also said the era of free money, lack of transparency and accountability is over in the country.
“Having witnessed the roles our religious leaders have been playing so far, I appeal to them to eschew partisan politics and appeal to their respective members to read the manifestos of each political party, discuss and pray for God’s guidance before casting their votes,” president Buhari said during an interfaith conference.
“Religious leaders should not be seen to involve themselves in partisan politics or political controversies. Otherwise they risk losing their status and public respect,” he added.
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury in England, was present at the event and delivered a keynote. John Onaiyekan, leader of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, and Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, were also present, according to a dispatch from the State House Saturday afternoon.
He also extended the warning to traditional rulers, admonishing them to encourage people in their community to be critical of political party messages and reach an informed position before voting for candidates.
“On their part, traditional rulers are also requested to enlighten their subjects, encourage them to ask questions and seek clarifications before going out to vote.
“As your President, I will request that you encourage your subjects to come out and exercise their voting rights as responsible citizens. To all of us politicians, I ask that we discharge our political responsibilities with integrity, bearing in mind that we will one day give an account to God, the Almighty,” the president said.
