Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa ’ ad Abubakar , has told the President Muhammadu Buhari of the need to tackle insecurity in the country.
He gave the advice when he led the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs to pay a courtesy call to Buhari.
The presidency in a statement titled ‘ President Buhari warns against ethnic , religious prejudices’ , quoted the Sultan as calling on the government to deal decisively with the banditry that is raving the Northwestern States of Zamfara , Katsina, Sokoto , and some parts of the North Central .
While expressing confidence that security forces , with better synergy among them , will overcome present challenges , he solicited for the cooperation of all the governors with the federal government irrespective of their political leanings, calling on Nigerians to support the new leadership of the armed forces .
The NSCIA leader also appealed to Nigerians, particularly religious leaders to refrain from making inflammatory comments that tend towards sowing discord in the polity and exacerbating the current level of insecurity in the land .
He asked that religious leaders making subversive comments should be called to order .
The Sultan equally said ‘ Hate Speech’ is aggravating insecurity in the country and that “ we have to act. ”
Buhari warned that stoking ethnic and religious prejudices will not augur well for the development of the country , adding that his administration will continue to create the enabling environment for religious freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
Buhari said , “ The Federal Government will continue to promote religious freedom as it is a constitutional responsibility. I must thank the Muslim ummah for promoting inter- religious dialogue in the country. It is self – evident that if the country must work , we must continue to work together in spite of our ethnic , religious and political differences because Nigeria is our collective project .
“ Accordingly , the Federal Government under my leadership does not and will not allow religious prejudice or partisanship to influence any of its decisions and policies. It is my solemn decision to be fair and just to all segments of society . ”
