As the 2027 general elections draw near, religious leaders across Nigeria have called on Christian and Muslim youths to unite against insecurity, reject political violence, and resist attempts by desperate politicians to divide the country along ethnic and religious lines.

Speaking at a national security summit in Abuja on Friday, representatives of key Christian and Islamic youth organisations stressed that peace, economic stability, and national security can only be achieved through mutual cooperation and civic engagement.

Delivering the key message on behalf of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the Zonal Secretary of CAN (North Central Zone), Rev. Simon Dolly, urged young Nigerians to embrace peace and prepare to act responsibly as the nation approaches another electoral cycle.

He noted that managing a complex, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious society like Nigeria requires divine guidance and collective support from all citizens.

“This security summit is very key at this time because we are preparing towards the election,” Dolly stated.

He said, “We are praying that this program will not just end in speeches or resolutions, but will come out with something tangible that the youths will take home to ensure a peaceful election. Youths must not allow themselves to be used to cause havoc or raise voices to create crisis. They are the future leaders and must be responsible”.

Dolly also called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise youth inclusion in governance to curb the emergence of “accidental leaders” who lack adequate preparation for leadership positions.

Reinforcing CAN’s position, former National Youth President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Engineer Daniel Kadzai, charged young people to actively collaborate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities within their communities.

“Security is everybody’s business,” Kadzai declared.

He said, “When you see something, say something. We are having these challenges today because some people conceal information from the relevant security agencies. Christian youths must serve as ambassadors of a stable nation”.

Kadzai commended the Federal Government for allocating over N5 trillion towards national defence, improving security infrastructure, and launching student support and artisan empowerment initiatives.

He threw his weight behind President Tinubu’s administration, citing visible infrastructural developments in the Federal Capital Territory and key economic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, which he described as a necessary temporary pain for long-term national growth.

Also addressing the summit, the National Chairman of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN, West Zone), Venerable Ademola Arowolo, urged youths to resist vote-buying, political thuggery, and electoral violence.

“An idle man is the devil’s workshop,” Larewaju cautioned, urging young people to take advantage of government entrepreneurship and job creation programmes.

He said, “If our youths are engaged, they cannot be used for thuggery or violence. God Himself does not divide us; it is human beings who divide us with their mindsets.”

Demonstrating interfaith solidarity, the National President of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Sani Maigoro, emphasised that victory over insecurity requires a united front between Christians and Muslims.

“First and foremost, we must accept the reality that we are first Nigerians,” Maigoro said.

He added, “Together we live and prosper, and when we are divided, we all suffer. We are far more numerous and stronger than those few evil ones attempting to divide us along religious or ethnic lines. Working together, we can defeat terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.”

The leaders collectively pledged to continue grassroots sensitisation across all geopolitical zones to ensure youth participation in peacebuilding and national development ahead of the forthcoming polls. (The Nation)