The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, alongside the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Rev. Matthew Kukah, has urged Nigerians to rise above religious divides and work together for the progress of the nation.
They made this appeal on Friday in Abuja during the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
The Sultan emphasized that Nigerians should see themselves as one big family, regardless of their diverse backgrounds. He dismissed the notion that Islam or “Islamism” is aimed at seizing political power, stressing instead that Islam advocates for justice and good governance.
“Islamism is not about seizing power; it is about promoting good governance. During President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, we supported him fully without bias. Our concern is not who holds power but whether governance benefits the people,” the Sultan said.
He also cautioned against extremist interpretations of religion, pointing out that Islam abhors extremism and provides a clear code of conduct for its adherents. According to him, a true Muslim cannot be an extremist.
On his part, Bishop Kukah highlighted the need for mutual respect among Nigerians. He explained that using religion as a political tool undermines democracy and threatens the unity of the nation.
“Religion should not be manipulated to enforce power. Extremism endangers not only Christianity but also Islam itself. Boko Haram started with this same misuse of religion,” Kukah warned.
He further noted that extremism poses a grave risk to national stability, citing global examples of societies that suffered from its rise. He called on both political and religious leaders to respect boundaries and prioritize good governance above personal or sectarian interests.
Both leaders agreed that Nigeria’s future depends on unity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to justice and inclusiveness.
