Stop instigating religious, ethnic tension, IDFP tells politicians

The Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), has cautioned politicians and public servants in Nigeria to desist from instigating religious and ethnic tensions, advising, they should rather concentrate on good governance anchored on justice, equity and respect for human rights in order to achieve a conducive atmosphere for development.

IDFP also called on Nigerians across every divides to shun hate and dangerous speeches that could lead to breach of law and order.

Speaking at a press conference held at The Kukah Centre, Abuja on Thursday, the co-chairmen of the group, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Bishop Sunday Onuoha said that the recent events in the country threaten the peace and unity of Nigeria.

Nigeria has grown to the extent that no singular religion can dominate the entire landscape adding that all religions and ethnicities would thrive and benefit the people, the forum stated.

IDFP which came up through the facilitation of International Dialogue Centre also known as KAICIID with headquarters in Vienna, said they have put mechanism in place for both Christians and Muslims especially those at the grassroots to tolerate one another.

“IDFP observes the recent regional agitation and counter agitation in the country with great concern. We note that the increasing calls for secession and other forms of religious and ethnic cleavages undoubtedly threaten the peace and stability of this country.”

“Fortunately, the IDFP sees a silver lining in the dark clouds and hereby calls on all Nigerians to be hopeful about the future and not give in to the seeming despair that has enveloped the socio-economic and political atmosphere. We believe that destiny has brought us together as people of this great country to live together in one united country,” the group said.

“We want to particularly plead with Nigerians to shun hate and dangerous speeches especially at these trying times. Where regional and group concerns are genuine, we urge that those concerns should be expressed in peaceful language and within the ambit of the law. We only need to work harder to make Nigeria habitable for all and sundry. We have come a long way in interdependence that we must not allow political expediency, greed, pride and selfishness to blind our vision of one united and peaceful Nigeria,” the group said.

IDFP further called on the need for religious-based authorities to embark on re-training of clerics and inculcate the culture of tolerance and mutual respect in their worship life.

Speaking further, the Forum noted that conflicts between pastoralists and farming communities have escalated and are gaining inroads into many parts of the country. “These conflicts have been taken to the religious, ethnic and regional platforms and, therefore, have been of very high destructiveness in both lives and property. We call on all stakeholders including the pastoralists, the farming communities and CSOs to be more proactive in the search for solutions.

The IDFP therefore, urged both parties to embrace dialogue with the goal to resuscitate that mutual relationship between them and the fast disappearing traditional peace making and peace building mechanisms.

“Government should redouble its efforts, even if it means designing alternative methods of animal husbandry for local pastoralists. We particularly call for urgency in bringing succour to internally displaced persons,” the forum advised.

Mathew Dadiya, abuja