The South-East Leaders Assembly has condemned what it described as provocative and divisive remarks allegedly made by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir at a gathering in Kano, where he reportedly described Nigeria as an Islamic country and suggested that those who disagreed with the position should leave the country.

The Coordinator-General of the assembly, Mazi Kenneth Oti, expressed the condemnation in a statement issued through his Press Secretary and Media and Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Prince Decson, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.

Oti described the alleged remarks as troubling, warning that such statements could heighten religious tensions and undermine national unity.

He stressed that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity, region or political affiliation, adding that the country is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation whose citizens are entitled to equal rights and protection under the Constitution.

According to him, no individual, religious leader or group has the authority to declare fellow Nigerians as strangers in their own country on the basis of their faith or beliefs.

He said religious leaders, because of their influence in society, had a special responsibility to promote peace, tolerance, mutual respect and national cohesion.

Oti warned that statements portraying Nigeria as belonging exclusively to one religious community, or suggesting that citizens who disagree with such views should leave the country, could deepen suspicion and inflame religious tensions.

He therefore urged Sheikh Jingir and other public and religious figures to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public pronouncements.

“Freedom of expression carries with it a responsibility not to recklessly inflame religious or ethnic sentiments in a country as diverse as Nigeria,” he said.

The South-East leaders also appealed to Nigerians not to respond to provocative rhetoric with counter-provocation, hatred or violence, stressing that differences in religion and worldview should not become reasons for citizens to regard one another as enemies.

Oti called on religious institutions, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, political leaders and other stakeholders to speak out against rhetoric capable of dividing Nigerians along religious lines.

He said Nigeria needed justice, equality, constitutionalism, responsible leadership and peaceful coexistence rather than religious supremacy.

“No Nigerian should be told to leave Nigeria because of his or her religion or because of disagreement with a particular religious interpretation of the identity of the country,” he said.

Oti urged Jingir to reconsider the implications of the alleged remarks and use his influence to promote reconciliation, tolerance and national unity.

He added that Nigeria’s diversity should be regarded as a defining reality and strength of the nation rather than a source of division. (The Guardian)

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