By NKECHI ONYEDIKA-UGOEZE, Abuja

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has debunked reports alleging that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Gida Mustapha on the Friday 27th August 2021 declared that from September 2021 the Federal Government through the Nigerian Police Force begin to arrest Bishops and Pastors who are using their Church Pulpit to preach against the Federal Government.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua argued that the SGF during his address did not mention anything about Bishops or Pastors.

He said, “NIREC calls on Nigerians to disregard the propaganda of Bishop Dr Olabode Daniel TLD and work graciously towards the realization of a peaceful nation. The write-up claims among other frivolous things that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has indirectly declared war against the Nigerian Pastors.”

"This rejoinder is necessary to correct the erroneous information published by Bishop Dr Olabode Daniel TLD, The Interfaith Human Rights Activist and Constitutional Justice Administrator.

"This misguiding error that is currently trending on social media claimed that: “the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha on the Friday 27th August 2021 has declared that from September 2021 the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Police Force will start arresting Bishops and Pastors who are using their Church Pulpit to preach against the Federal Government.

"The write-up claims among other frivolous things that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has indirectly declared war against the Nigerian Pastors.”

“NIREC under the Co-chairmanship of His Eminences, Rev. Dr Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs hereby states that in the just concluded 3rd quarter meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council held from 25th -27th August 2021 at Reiz Continental Hotel Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, while declaring the meeting open, said that: “leaders that are fond of making statements that do not in any way bring succour and comfort to our people but rather further deepening discord ought to be cautioned”.

"During his address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation did not mention anything about Bishops or Pastors. For the avoidance of doubt, the full video clip of his address can be accessed on NIREC YouTube channel."

Omonokhua stated that NIREC is committed to the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians adding that the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation supports NIREC to achieve this noble mission and vision. (Text, excluding headline, courtesy The Guardian)

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