President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged religious leaders to work towards the broader goal of building a strong and unified nation.
He cautioned against insinuations that could divide the people along religious lines.
The President spoke during a visit to the Presidential Villa by Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace in Nigeria led by Bishop John Abu Richard.
The President said: “Some voices, for political or ethnic reasons are making unguarded statements accusing the government and myself in particular of religious bias.
“Let me assure you, honourable clergymen that this is far from the truth. In my career as a soldier, administrator, and politician, I have never veered from my oath of office.
“When I had the honour to lead a Military Government, there were more Christians than Muslims in the Federal Executive Council and the Supreme Military Council.
“This was not by design but I appointed people on their merit without the slightest bias. The present Federal Executive Council is also evenly balanced; again not by design but by respecting and rewarding individual qualities,’’ the President said.
President Buhari noted that he was delighted at the proposition to hold a one day prayer and fasting meeting for the nation on April 26 by the group at the Eagle Square, saying he would direct the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security for the gathering.
The leader the delegation said more than 45,000 pastors in the north had registered with the initiative to use their pulpits for the propagation of the gospel of peace and shun political distractions.
He urged other pastors to support the administration as it works towards ending the violence in various parts of the country and avoid politically-coloured sermons.
In a copy of the speech by Bishop Richard, made available to reporters, the group dscribed President Buhari as “God sent”.
He acknowledged the good leadership being provided by resident Buhari in restoring the nation’s economy, tackling insecurity challenges and revolutinarising the agricultural sector.
The Bishop said, “We congratulated ourselves also because during your health challenge we knowing you to be the God sent timely leader to rescue and restore Nigeria back to her pride, fasted and prayed with over one thousand Archbishops, Bishops, Pastors and Evangelist for God to show you mercy and heal you.
“Your Excellency, we the 19 Northern States pastors came together in unity to speak with one voice to crusade for peace, reconciliation and national unity of our great country Nigeria which you have already started.
“We have over 45,000 registered pastors of the 19, Northern State of Nigeria with millions of followers behind us we have huge numbers in our women and youth wing to support the unity and peaceful co-existence in our country irrespective of tribe, religion, ethnicity and political association.
“And to counter those deceiving and poisoning Nigerians with fake news to destroy your good intentions for the country especially those giving the impression that you are against Christians and some ethnic groups in Nigeria, which is a big lie.
“For instance, some pastors, using places of worship to preach hate. People using the Church to preach violence. (If you preach war and war breaks out, who will go to Church for worship).
On the Islamization agenda, he said “We believe that Mr. President has no lslamization agenda in Nigeria, because if he did not do it as military Head of State with a Muslim deputy Head of State, how can it be done under a democratic government?
“This is just an opposition propaganda, about the killings around the country, we observed that it is not only Christian that are the victims, both Muslims and Christians are affected, and the Government is doing everything possible to solve the problem.”
Members of the delegation include its National Chairman, Bishop John Abu Richard, National Secretary, Archbishop Musa Usman Katshina, National Deputy Secretary, Bishop Fali Jasibu Indagawa, Bishop Adamu Danja and Bishop Tom Madugu. The Arewa Pastors however, refused to disclose the churches they represent.