Nwosu: Religious Leaders Must Promote Peace, Not Division

Former Chief of Staff to the former Imo State Governor, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, has strongly condemned remarks attributed to prominent Plateau-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, describing Christians as infidels.

In a statement signed by him in Abuja, Nwosu described the remarks as divisive and unacceptable, warning that such utterances could create unnecessary religious tension and undermine efforts to promote unity, peace and harmonious coexistence among Nigerians.
Nwosu stressed that Nigeria is a diverse nation comprising people from different regions, ethnic groups and religious backgrounds who have continued to live and work together.
He said it was unfortunate that, at a time when Nigerians were looking forward to greater unity and peaceful coexistence, anyone, particularly a religious leader, would make statements capable of setting one group against another.
According to him, the remarks should be condemned outright, as no individual should use religion as a platform to denigrate or label an entire faith community.
Nwosu expressed concern that such statements could deepen religious mistrust and create unnecessary divisions among citizens.
He urged religious leaders to recognise the influence they wield and use their platforms to promote tolerance, mutual respect, peace and understanding.
The former Chief of Staff also called on the Federal Government to take appropriate action against individuals whose public utterances are capable of threatening national unity and peaceful coexistence.
He stressed that such action should be taken in accordance with the law, noting that freedom of religion and expression should not be used to promote hatred or undermine peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Nwosu appealed to Christians and Muslims across the country not to allow provocative statements by individuals to damage the longstanding relationship between the two faith communities.
He maintained that Nigeria needs responsible voices capable of uniting the country rather than deepening existing divisions, urging all citizens to work together for peace, stability and national development.