Akume urges clerics, traditional rulers to promote tolerance ahead of 2027 polls
…warns against manipulation capable of triggering violence …says faith leaders must strengthen grassroots peace-building efforts The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Wednesday urged
...warns against manipulation capable of triggering violence
...says faith leaders must strengthen grassroots peace-building efforts
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Wednesday urged religious and traditional leaders across the country to intensify efforts towards promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akume said faith-based and traditional institutions must play leading roles in fostering understanding among citizens and preventing manipulation capable of igniting violence before, during and after the elections.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity Yomi Odunuga, Akume spoke in Abuja at the first triannual meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), held at Rockview Hotel under the theme: “Religious Literacy for National Cohesion.”
He noted that with the country gradually approaching the end of the current political and electoral cycle, religious and traditional leaders have a moral obligation to strengthen collaboration, youth education and peace-building initiatives within their communities.
“The 2027 general elections are fast approaching and NIREC, through our traditional and religious leaders, faith-based organisations and youth associations, has the moral responsibility for strengthening the network of collaboration, grassroots mobilisation, youth education, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, security and protection of lives and property in our communities,” Akume said.
He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of manipulation capable of creating division among citizens, noting that peaceful elections can only thrive where responsible leadership exists at the grassroots level.
According to him, Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity makes tolerance and religious literacy critical to national cohesion, adding that understanding one another’s beliefs and practices remains essential for building trust and sustaining peace.
Akume said the role of NIREC had become increasingly important in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the country’s diverse religious communities.
He warned that Nigeria, like many parts of the world, continues to grapple with challenges fuelled by stereotypes, misinformation, insecurity and identity-based divisions.
“The world today continues to encounter formidable challenges that are capable of generating conflicts. These challenges are fuelled by lack of understanding, existence of stereotypes, ineffective communication and the weaponisation of identity,” he said.
The SGF noted that such challenges were often worsened by political and economic manipulation, leading to violence and hostility in communities.
He maintained that government’s responsibility was not to politicise religion or encourage intolerance, but to strengthen citizenship, understanding and responsibility among Nigerians.
Akume observed that while religious studies already form part of the nation’s school curriculum, emphasis should now shift towards improving the quality of teaching through better teacher preparation, effective learning materials and classroom values that promote empathy, respect and responsible citizenship.
The SGF also expressed concern over rising insecurity in the education sector, warning that attacks on schools and prolonged closures of learning institutions in unsafe areas were worsening the country’s education crisis.
“A child cannot learn fraternity in fear; a nation cannot preach literacy while schools are under threat,” he said.
He called for stronger implementation of government policies on safe schools and violence-free learning environments to guarantee uninterrupted education for children across the country.
Akume further stressed that religious literacy must go hand in hand with media and information literacy, especially in an era characterised by widespread misinformation and hate speech.
Referencing the recent launch of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute by Nigeria and UNESCO, he said citizens must be equipped with the ability to verify information and reject falsehoods designed to divide society.
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“Religious literacy must therefore be accompanied by media and information literacy; the discipline to verify before sharing, to question before reacting, and to reject falsehood, hate speech and incendiary narratives,” he said.
The SGF urged schools, faith communities, universities, media organisations and traditional institutions to collaborate in raising a new generation of Nigerians who embrace patriotism, humility, peaceful coexistence and respect for diversity.
He described religious leaders as the conscience of society and urged them to use their influence to resolve conflicts, minimise hatred and promote truth.
Akume also warned against the misuse of religion to justify falsehood, discrimination and violence, insisting that such acts undermine both faith and national unity.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had already put mechanisms in place to support religious and traditional institutions in maintaining peace and security across communities ahead of the elections.
According to him, his office would engage further with stakeholders after receiving recommendations from the NIREC meeting.
Akume expressed optimism that the council’s deliberations would produce practical solutions capable of strengthening tolerance, institutional trust and national cohesion as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.
